"I'll be Home for Christmas..."

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas season this year.  For the first time in my own apartment, I (and that Brady boy, too :)) bought and decorated a real tree.  I took some inspiration from Pinterest and made some homemade ornaments that were super successful (glass painted ones and cinnamon cookie cutter ornaments, too, which smell heavenly).  With this being the first Christmas with a "big girl" job "in the real world" and not a faithful customer at the Bank of Mom and Dad, I actually purchased and wrapped presents for Brady and our families (instead of, ya know, charging it to mom and putting my name on it).  I put out all my cupcake Christmas decor and pastry-related Santas that Mom has been helping me collect after Christmas over the past few years.  I made a Christmas card wall over my arch in my apartment and almost felt like a kid on Christmas morning every time I received a card in the mail, to display.  Brady and I even sent our own corny but awesome (right?) Christmas card this year.  I've fully taken advantage of my professional baking job to try out some holiday recipes.  Peppermint brownies.  Eggnog cookies.  Red velvet madelines.  Christmas sugar cookies.  I walk in to work at the pastry kitchen to the smells of gingerbread most days, and I love it.

 

 One of our Christmas card photos, November 2012.

 

Another Christmas card pic, November 2012.

Christmas card decor, December 2012.

 

Our Christmas Tree the day we decorated it, November 2012.

 

Our Christmas Tree today, December 23, 2012. (Look at all those presents!)

What is the true meaning of Christmas, anyway?  Is it gingerbread smells and presents and fraser firs?  For me, it has remained the same yet looked slightly different over the years.  For five Christmas seasons, I lived in Athens.  For the past two, I was in New York.  But each year, for the past twenty-five years, I have awakened to Santa on December 25th at 205 Friar Tuck Lane in,  Thomasville, Georgia.  I've left a note for Santa, along with milk, cookies, and celery for the 'deer on the same brick fireplace, next to the bear stockings, that mom never seems to hang in the right position (Jessica's stocking is the with the one dressed in a Santa suit.  Duh!).  I remember, as if it were yesterday, walking into the "great room" and seeing my Ariel (from The Little Mermaid, of course) bike for the first time, behind the couch.  Toys and games were slowly replaced with tvs, clothes, and gift cards.  Recently, mom received her own stocking, with her own bear.  Christmas, that's just how it has always been.

 

Brady and I in Central Park, December 2011.

Except, not this year.  This year, I will wake up to my beautiful tree in my apartment and open gifts with my husband-to-be, before I race off to work.  I cannot even begin to tell you how thankful I am that Brady will be here.  I think I would be so sad and emotional, if I happened to be alone.  So, it's our first engaged Christmas and our first Christmas together, together.

So, I ask, again, what is the true meaning of Christmas?  It's always remained the same and will continue, no matter the traditions and memories I create.  It's Jesus's Birthday, of course.  But, it is so much more than that.  It's family and food and tissue paper and Flowers lights and little Tynlee giggles.  It's my Gamma, who has battled and survived and continues to truly live life, sitting in her spot, over the years, watching her granddaughters grow into beautiful young women, into mothers, with families of their own.  Christmas is 70* weather, in sweaters just because it's Christmas.  It's separating the gifts and making sure everyone has the same number to open.  It's a tree covered in UGA ornaments and red and black.  It's ceramic nativities and red bows.  It's pure joy.

Tynlee's First Christmas, December 2011.

As I sit here, bawling as I write this, I can't help but realize how incredibly blessed I am.  The day after Christmas, I will head home.  I am truly grateful that I have three days off following Christmas, something I really didn't think would happen.  And though I am sad that Brady cannot venture to Georgia with me, I am glad we have the actual day together.  I will spend "Christmas Eve" (two days late) with the Barrett Family.  It means more than anything that they are going to wait to celebrate with me, as we have always been together on Christmas Eve.  Jess and I will leave Santa a note and goodies on the night of the 26th and hopefully wake up to a few new "toys" from the North Pole.  (P.S. Santa already told us he would be a couple days late.  Apparently, he is taking a vacation and extending his one night gig.)  I will open presents with my dad on the 27th.  It'll look different, but the meaning remains the same.  Christmas is a celebration.  To me, it's about family and friends (and food, which is why I am "missing" the actual day to begin with :)).  Christmas is a day and that's it.  You can celebrate and should celebrate our Savior any day and every day.  Christmas is just a day.

 

Our note to Santa ("Sizzy"), December 2008.

I have been spending a lot of time this holiday season listening to Christmas music on Pandora.  When I am in the kitchen by myself at work, it keeps me in the spirit instead of driving myself crazy in silence.  Of course, I've heard all the favorites on repeat it seems like, "Frosty" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Jingle Bell Rock" and "O, Holy Night."  One song, however, seems to play at least once every time I turn on Christmas music, and I've never really listened to the words as intently as I have this year.  I challenge you to listen to it, again, and really listen.  Count your blessings, and realize, too, that Christmas is just a day.  "I'll be home for Christmas.  You can count on me.  Please have snow and mistletoe.  Presents on the tree.... I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams..."  I'm dreaming this year of being home, and not working, but alas, I will be home, just two days late, and for me, that's more than enough.

This year is the start of new traditions and memories, with Brady.  And, I know that I won't be spending every Christmas Day in Georgia, as I have family (unofficially, for now :)) in South Dakota, too.  I must say, however, that this year, I've learned a hard lesson but a great one that Christmas is just a day.  So, for many years to come, I'll be home for Christmas in Georgia with my family and South Dakota with Brady's family, just maybe not on the actual day.  "It's the most wonderful time of the year," this year and for many years to come!

I wish everyone a very, Merry Christmas and a blessed 2013!  2012 was a great year, and I can only hope that this next year will be even better.  Enjoy your time with family, and count your blessings, remembering that all are not as fortunate.  Oh, and add a little extra rum to your egg nog.

"2012," New Year's in South Dakota, January 2012

I love y'all!

"...IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS!"

 Hay Reh

He put a RING on it.

I know y'all have anxiously been awaiting the second part of the  "WE'RE ENGAGED!!!" series?  Enjoy our proposal story!

As a first year employee at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, we are only given five personal days off from work.  This year, Brady and I decided to take a fall vacation to his home state of South Dakota.  He wanted to watch his parents coach volleyball and football, and he wanted to watch his three siblings play these respective sports, as well.

We flew to South Dakota early on Thursday, September 20th.  (Side note: Brady and I have a thing for panda bears.  We have two stuffed animal pandas.  One is a pillow pet that folds out into a pillow.  With our flight leaving so early, I suggested he bring John Smith, the panda pillow pet, to sleep on the flight.  Much to my surprise, I noticed on the plane that he had packed both stuffed animals, John Smith and Pocahontas, the stuffed panda he gave to me on our one month anniversary.  He said that he could not bring one without the other, something that made perfect sense to sentimental me.) We ate lunch in Sioux Falls and stopped for coffee at Caribou (mmm, Mint Conditions).  That afternoon, we visited his sisters at school.  We went to his brother's scrimmage that night.  Nothing was out of the ordinary.  On Friday, we spent the morning in Sioux Falls with his grandparents, Grandpa Denny and Grandma Sandy Benson, and I met Brady's Uncle Jeff and Aunt Christy for the first time at lunch.  We spent the afternoon shopping around town before heading back to the metropolis that is Chester, South Dakota.

Brady lives on a farm, one thing he misses most about home.  His brother and sister have two bottle calves, Rib eye and T-Bone, that kept escaping through the fence, and Brady's dad asked him to fix it that afternoon.  I felt as though we had not stopped since leaving Charleston, and I wanted to relax inside and work on Brady's gift for our one year anniversary, which was on September 24th.  Brady said he would come inside later; take me down to a cornfield, which I was begging for him to do (if I'm going to the middle of nowhere South Dakota, I wanted to take pictures in a cornfield, okay?!); and possibly see if he could find me a ride on a combine.

After an hour or so of doing our own thing, Brady came up to the house and told me to put on some shoes.  Their family friend was combining, and he wanted to take me.  As we were driving down the gravel road on the Scout, Brady asked if we could stop by Uncle Joe's to see the lake.  It was on the way, and with South Dakota in a severe drought, I understood that he wanted to see Uncle Joe's land and to see how low the lake was.  When we drove up to the lake, I noticed John Smith, Pocahontas (yes, the pandas), and some ears of corn on the dock.  I started to get suspicious.  Brady took my hand and asked if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.  The rest of the proposal is much of a blur, with me burying myself into Brady in shock.  He had to make me stand to even show me the most beautiful ring in the world.  Supposedly, he did actually get down on one knee (there are pictures to prove it), but I do not remember saying "yes."  He knew the answer, anyway.

I told Brady that I wanted someone hiding to capture the moment.  The next thing I remember is him having me look to my right, where I saw Coach Fods with a camera in his hands.  I immediately turned red and knew just how awful those pictures were probably going to be, with me hiding my face in every picture.  He snapped a few "official" pictures of us by the lake.  Brady showed me how to twist the kernels off the ears of corn, and then, we headed back to his house.

The actual moment.  It's proof he did fall to one knee.  And, you can see Pocahontas on the dock.  :)

That night was the Homecoming football game at the school, where his dad is the head coach.  When we reached the house, I had to get ready quickly to head to the school.  I called my mom, dad, and sister.  When I walked into the school gym, after hugs from his mom and sisters, everyone wanted to see the bling.  Apparently, everyone in the town of Chester, South Dakota, knew about the impending proposal, except for me and his nine-year-old brother.  How rude.  :)  My mom had even mailed the ring to the school (with insurance, of course).  It was the perfect night celebrating with Brady, his family, his friends, and his town.

The bedazzler.  Isn't it gorgeous?! I would not change a thing about it!  (Didn't he do a phenomenal job?!)

The rest of the trip was amazing.  My new sparkly accessory on my left hand was the perfect souvenir!

I knew his family wanted to have professional family pictures taken before we even flew to SD.  I made sure Brady was prepared and packed a black shirt and jeans.  Brady made sure I packed a matching outfit, even though I felt a little awkward about being a part of his family pictures.  I guess, now, it all makes sense, seeing as I am going to be a Benson, one day.  :)

Family pictures! We are cute, and you know it!

HE STOLE MY HEART, SO I'M STEALING HIS NAME.

Hay Reh (Be-to-be)

"Life is a journey..."

On September 21, 2012, Brady asked me to marry him.  With us waiting until Summer of 2014 to tie the knot, I have ample time to plan and save and plan and plan.  However, even though our wedding day is over a year and a half away, the excitement of our impending nuptials is ever present.  As y'all know, I love to write and talk and blog and type, and a wedding website, for me (er, us?!) is a must.  I am starting to write about how we met, the proposal, and the story of each of us, but, of course, I cannot submit a website until at least a few of the details are finalized (um, like a date?! :)).  I must say that it has been such a joy to write our story down, to put pen to paper (type words on a computer?), and to re-live, almost, our journey.

I started this blog to publish my time at culinary school.  And, though I graduated almost a year ago, this blog is still relevant to my life; I met Brady at the CIA.  And, I'm still livin' life one cupcake at a time, except now, I need to bake two cupcakes. one for me and one for my husband-to-be.  Enjoy this series of posts.  I'll start with "how we met."

We both enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in June of 2010.  We shared some of the same classes our first year, before we began our studies in our respective fields of culinary and baking and pastry.  We were not friends outside of school, and we did not really get to know each other at all.  Brady knew who I was and I knew of Brady.

Let's fast forward to externship, about a four month period of time between your first and second years at the CIA, where you work in the industry at a pre-approved site.  Brady externed in Boca Raton, Florida, and I externed at Kiawah Island Golf Resort outside of Charleston, South Carolina.  I externed with one of Brady's closest friends from the CIA, "pookie bear" or Trevor, as most people know him.  Trevor and I became good friends in South Carolina, and we remained as such, when we returned to New York for our second year.  Trevor, Brady, and I shared all the same classes for the six weeks after the completion of our externship, and it was then that Brady and I began to spend a lot of time together, inside and outside of class.

At a party on an August Saturday night at the CIA, Brady and I finally exchanged numbers, and through awkward encounters and our love of football, we began to text.  It was at that party that I began to see "Baby Brady" as a little more than "one of my boys" or my baby brother.  It freaked me out, a lot.  We continued to text, all the time, and by all the time, we sent each other over fifty a day, on average.  Brady started to act differently towards me, with piping party invitations and casual football-watching requests, but I shot him down every time, apparently.  Though my heart skipped a beat every time I saw his name pop up on my Droid and I found myself jealous of all of Brady's other girl friends, I could not justify liking him at all.  Brady is four and a half years younger than me.  His people personality and love of having a good time gave him a reputation that was far from angelic.  We were graduating in less than a year and who knew were we would go after graduation.  I even went so far as to lie to my roommate (I know, mom, you taught me better than to lie) about my feelings for Brady.  I thought that if I denied them long enough, Brady would move on and my feelings would fade away.

My feelings never changed.  I caved one day when Brady asked me to go get sushi and watch football.  I did not even know it was a date, and I even paid.  (Much to my surprise, I found out later than he had forgotten his wallet anyway that night.)  We watched football, and when the night came to an end, Brady even walked me to my door, like a true gentleman.  Two nights later, I invited Brady's best man and roommate, Duke, to Sweet Tea Tuesday, our weekly tradition.  Brady was not twenty one, and I never included him on our roomie date nights.  On this Tuesday though, he was angry that he wasn't invited and came over anyway.  (I was just doing it to play hard to get.)  It was that night that Brady and I stayed awake all night just talking.  I kissed Brady (so he says, three times) and that was it.

Then, all hell broke loose, and a few miserable months at the CIA ensued, with unnecessary drama and gossip, which to this day, we wouldn't even change.  There were not too many people that supported us, Team "Braley."  One thing remained the same though, our feelings for one another, and they only grew stronger and stronger.  We realized that we were something worth fighting for.

On February 10, 2012, we graduated from the Culinary.  We never questioned staying together; in the same town or far away, we would make it work.  Through many turn of events, the road led us to Charleston, South Carolina, with us both accepting positions at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.  We are loving life in the South, and we are so blessed and thankful to be living this life, together.  Here's to "twenty-five to life."

"HE WANTS TO MARRY ME." (To the tune of Sandra Bullock's character in Miss Congeniality.)

Haley Benson-to-be

Tasty Memories.

Why not a two-for-one deal today!?  :)

So, everyone who has passed a basic Biology course knows (or this can serve as a reminder, Jess) that your senses can trigger memories. Now, there are several foods that help me remember fond times.  For example, cheesy noodles remind me of my sister.  Eclair cake makes me think of my mom.  Boiled peanuts signify football and Athens.  You understand what I'm saying.  However, I have never had a single taste hit me like a ton of bricks on my heart as I did a few days ago.

I am a proud Starbuck gold card member.  I receive emails, and over the past few weeks, Starbucks has sent me several messages about the upcoming fall and the return of some of their signature drinks.  Most people know that I adore a warm PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte for all those people not on my level), with light whip, and a sprinkling of spice.  Friends have even texted me about their arrival.  So, on Saturday, as I was a little early on my drive to work (which never happens really), I decided to stop and order my first PSL of the season, even though it did not feel like fall outside at the time.  As I was walking back to the car, I took my first sip and the taste, literally, almost brought tears to my eyes.  No people, I am not so obsessed with Starbucks that coffee makes me cry.  Get real now.  A flood of emotion came over me.  It made me think about New York and the Hudson Valley and apple picking and throwing the football near the Rec Center.  And in that moment, more than at any other time in the last seven months, my heart and soul ached for New York.

It was a great moment.  I realized how much just two years of my life in that faraway Yankee land meant to me.  I remembered how much I enjoyed fall up there, because we really don't have fall down here, kids, and how much it really saddened me that I was not going to experience it again this year.  (Since then, though I don't have the funds or the time, I've been looking at flights.  Ha.  Sentimental much?)  But, how great is it that one single cup of coffee in a different state can taste exactly like it did on so many afternoons a year or two ago and bring back so many wonderful memories that include so many great people?!  

Now, PSLs can create new memories for me in SC, and I welcome them.  Cheers!

Most of the pictures below are repeats, but, as my PSL took me down memory lane, I thought I would, in my own way, take y'all down it too!

Leaves at the Vanderbilt Mansion my first year at the CIA, Fall 2010. 

 Brady and I picking apples, Fall 2011!

 Brady and I carved pumpkins last year, Fall 2011.  The cat on the left is mine and the boring, standard carving is his.  :)

And, on Sunday, Robert and I tried to create our own PSLs in the Pastry Kitchen.  It was not a failure by any means, but some R&D (research and development) shall be done through the season, Fall 2012.

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

Haley

(South) Carolina in My Mind (Again)!

OMG.  The format for writing a blog post is different.  If I had forgotten how to blog, then this new setup doesn't help at all!

Hello LLOCAAT faithfuls!

I'm keeping this blog alive by blogging at least one every sixish months, right?  Does that still make me a blogger?  Oh well, as you can imagine, life has been quite a whirlwind since I graduated on February 10th, and it is crazy for me to believe that it has been seven months (yesterday) since I walked across the stage in Hyde Park and entered the "real" world (whatever that means).  For me, I have almost found my normal again, a routine (as much of a routine as you can have in this industry).  I don't know how long it's going to last but I am enjoying where I am in life, and it means more than anything to know that y'all have been there or simply care to know about it!

Below are a few pictures from my Graduation Week!

My last day in Apple Pie.  No more soup!!! :)

Jess, Mom, and I at the American Bounty Restaurant the night before graduation.  The service (Duke and Jason) and the company (plus Boo Bear and Brady) couldn't be beat!

This might be my favorite picture EVER.  I miss the guy in the middle more with each passing day. (It still doesn't help that I didn't get a proper goodbye! :() He will always be a big brother to Brady and my favwite!

The Baking and Pastry Arts graduates!

Texas/Roomie/Mewissa!  I miss this girl so much!  :(

Thank you, Boo, for coming to my graduation.  Now, if you could just move back to SC, that would be great.  It is not the same without you!

My whole family on graduation day!

After packing up my room and car, Jess, Mom, and I traveled to NYC and enjoyed the City for a few days.  It was a great way to end my time in NY, by saying goodbye, for now, to the City, where I had begun to feel more of a "townie"(to an extent, of course) than a tourist.  :)

Days before graduation, Chef Larry offered me a position at the Sanctuary Hotel.  Moving away from school, graduating, driving South, and Brady confused me in knowing what I wanted to do next.  It was all too much.  After having a mini-vacay with Brady in the South, I finally decided to accept the job.  Brady flew back to NY only to drive his Jeep down, in hopes of finding a job and he, himself, figuring out what his next step was.  He drove a U-Haul from Monticello, FL-->Thomasville, GA-->Athens, GA-->Charleston, SC to help me move into my new apartment.  Within days, he had a stage at one of the other restaurants on the Island and a job offer.  Oh, how I love that boy for taking a chance on us and moving here!

And, there you have it, a very brief synopsis of how I went from a college graduate to an hourly wage cook.  And, though I wish my parents were still footing the bill and I didn't have bills and loans and no weekends off and long hours and days, I still love what I'm doing.  The past seven months have definitely made me think about the future, where I hope to be, and what I hope to be doing, and I'm looking forward to the future, whatever it holds.  Stay tuned, because "Livin' Life One Cupcake At A Time" is an adventure!

And, this is just for fun.  What has happened in seven months?

*I turned 25.  Blah.  And, believe me, my body feels the aging.  :)

*My best friend, Bailey, married her handsome groom, Brent, in June.  It was a wonderfully rainy weekend, and I was honored to be a part of her special day!  I love the Greers!

*Brady and I now have a pet, named Sushi.  He is a Betta fish, and he is beautiful.  Come visit him, anytime!

*Well, the PGA Championship came and went.  I actually had the opportunity to go to the final round of the tournament on Sunday and watch my other bf (sorry, Brady), Rory McIlroy win his second major.  It was very exciting!

*Hurricane Season is back in season (and I don't mean that in a positive way).  Even when I didn't live in the South, hurricanes followed me (Irene anyone?).  I was raised with hurricanes being a yearly thing, so it's nothing new.

*Football season is here, and I love it.  It's a catch 22 on if I wish football season was a year-round sport, but I miss it during the spring and summer.  On the other hand, I don't know if my heart could take it all the time.  As always, Go Dawgs!

*Tynlee is ALMOST one now.  It is true that good things come in small packages.  Even though I do not see her as often as I wish I could, she is the light of the extended Barrett family's lives.  Seeing her mom's name flash on my iPhone, telling me I have a new text/video/pic never gets old.  She is, and I swear it is not because I am biased, the most precious little baby girl I have ever seen!  What a joy you are to us, Little Bean, and a true blessing in our lives.  Don't grow up too fast!  I can't wait to make your cake, and I hope you get it all over you!  :)

*I am currently surviving Restaurant Week in Charleston, while enjoying it, too.  Many restaurants in the area do a special menu for a discounted price, allowing patrons to experience different food, culture, and restaurants in Charleston.  Jasmine Porch is participating (as well as Brady's restaurant, Tomasso), which means that I receive more dessert orders, with it being part of the "3 courses for $40" deal.  Last Thursday, Brady treated me to a dinner at Circa 1886, and this Thursday, I am taking us (it's only fair when we live only slightly above poverty status) to 39 Rue du Jean.  Date nights don't happen too too often around here; dressing up and going out to dinner where someone else is doing all the cooking (and cleaning) is a delight for us (and I consider it research/ continuing education).

*Politics?! It is a Presidential election year AGAIN!?
*Has it really been 11 years since that day?  I feel honored to say that I have been to that sacred ground that is now a memorial.  Never forget, 911.

And, next week, Brady and I are headed to South Dakota for our first official vacation (meaning we are using actual vacation days for the first time).  I am beyond excited to get away from work and Charleston for six days, to visit his family, see his sis/dad/mom play and coach, and to maybe go boating.

I promise, as I did in my last post in January, that I will continue my CIA journey on the blog.  I don't know if it will be in a year or five years, but I so want to organize/ document all my pictures and pastries.  Look forward to that!

FEEL FREE TO DONATE TO THE HALEY FUND FOR A BETTER LIFE  :)

Haley

Snowy Celebrations.

Dear Blog and faithful followers,

I haven't forgotten about you, and even if I did, even for a moment, my family would remind me that it has been five months since we last chatted.

The last five months of my life have been busy (extremely busy) and wonderful and challenging and life-changing and eye-opening and filled with memories to last a lifetime. I vow and promise to back-blog at least all my pictures to show you (and make you jealous) of the life I live, today and from all my yesterdays since August. Here is a quick re-cap of the last several months and why I am excited about what lies ahead, starting February 10th, 2012.

*Just yesterday, I completed my LAST Day One of class at The Culinary Institute of America. Meaning? I graduate in 3 short weeks (2 weeks and 6 days now). Over the past five months, I have made my bakeshop rounds and completed Confectionery Art and Special Occasion Cakes, Contemporary Cakes and Desserts, Chocolates and Confections, Specialty Breads, Advanced Baking Principles (where I passed my 5th Term Practical), Restaurant Desserts and Operations, and Back-of-the-House Apple Pie Bakery Cafe. I have maintained my perfect attendance, which should be noted. I will no longer, unless for fun on Halloween, wear the gold-enscribed CIA-issued whites here on campus as a student. I've earned my blues, for sure!

This is not the greatest picture but my first day in my blues!

*The sweetest, cutest, most precious, she-already-has-us-all-wrapped, baby girl, named Tynlee Brooke Roberts, was born in Statesboro, Georgia, on September 30, 2011. I was able to fly home to witness Georgia beat Florida, for the second time, and meet this heaven-sent bundle around her one month birthday!

One of her first pictures. My whole family, minus me, was there. I waited patiently by my phone for updates (and PICTURES). :)
Tynlee and Aunt Haley. Our first picture together (but not our last).

Pedi-day!

*I surprised my mom for Thanksgiving, and instead of watching the Macy's Parade Live from NYC again this year, I spent Turkey Day with the family and Turkey-butt (Tynlee). With my grandmother being sick and wheelchair-bound, I was thankful, especially this year, to spend the week with those I love the most.

*I have fallen in love with (and I am not ashamed to write this on a public forum because, let's be for real, my mom already knows we've said the "L word") the most adorable 20-year-old on the planet. Brady Michael Benson actually calls when he says he is going to call. He wants to spend time with me, even if that means going to see Twilight in theaters. He surprises me, like with the stuffed panda for our one month. He knows me so well and he doesn't run away from me too fast considering (even though my OCDness does annoy him some days). He thinks enough of me to let me visit his family for New Years in South Dakota (and he is comparatively as close with his family as I am with mine, if you can imagine). He's the Southern boy (even if it is SOUTH Dakota) I've always wanted, who wears boots and listens to country music and shoots guns. OH, and did I mention that within the first week of dating, we had to defend our relationship to our-too-small-campus-where-everyone-knows-everybody and decide if it was worth pursuing or leaving well-enough alone. When I want to be mad at him, I can't be because he looks at me with "that look," which makes me angry that he has that power over me. He takes care of me when I am sick with tonsillitus (soup? juice? panda?). He picks me up when there is snow on the ground when I don't have the proper shoes on my feet. We go out on the weekends; oh wait, he is underage (he gives a whole new meaning to "Teenage Dream," Katy Perry). We are four and a half years apart. I may have been a senior in high school when he was in seventh grade but that makes us us. And, I wouldn't change us or him for the world. I don't know what will happen after his 10 day trip to Georgia/ the South after graduation, but he's the guy that makes me consider moving to -30 degree weather (sorry, Mom).

Apple-pickin' pandas!

*Two of my best friends are getting married. Brent proposed to Bailey in November, and they are getting married on June 9th. Brent (not the same one :)) proposed to Whitney at Walt Disney World in December before Christmas. I love these girls (and guys) so much and I am thrilled for them! I am excited to celebrate with them this special time in their lives.

Straight-haired Haley and Bailey Harvard Greer-to-be.

*I've enjoyed multiple trips since August. I visited my bff Katy in Boston. Brady and I have taken the train to NYC several times, to play and to celebrate Christmas (Rockettes, anyone?). I went to Ithaca to interview for graduate school and Brady came along. Katy and her roommate, Jocelyn, visited NYC to see the City in all its Christmas glory!

Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset. <3

Playing the Big Piano with Katy and Jocelyn at FAO Schwarz.

Christmas in the City with BB.

*Another car parked on top of my car. It's a long story; I'll explain later.

Volvo, meet Acura. Volvo, get off Acura!

*I am now a proud owner of an iPhone. (I've actually owned two! iPhones don't like hitting the concrete.)

Poor Brady for dropping my phone.

*And, as of yesterday, I found out that I have tentatively been accepted to the Masters of Hospitality Management program at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration for May 2014. The admissions committee was extremely impressed with my resume, application, and interview that with more experience and a second GMAT score, they want to offer me deferred admission for two years. How am I feeling about this? I'll be honest in saying that I was expecting a rejection, period. My GMAT score was not even close to the average for incoming students. The average age for admittance is 28 and I am 24 years old. The average amount of work experience is 3-5 years; I have no where near that amount. Graduate School is a life decision, and this deferment definitely throws a curveball in my life plans. However, I have two years to decide, and no matter the decision I make, I can always say I was accepted to the Ivy League, right?!

This post is just a snapshot of my life since August 30th. Stay tuned (but don't expect my backblogs in a timely manner) for the full journey. I love you all, and thank you for being a part of this experience. It's just the beginning.

TAKE THAT, HATERS. I DO REMEMBER HOW TO BLOG.

Now, time to play in the inches of snow that have been falling since last night...

Haley