Top 10 of 2009!

It may be a little early for this post, but I don't know how much time I'll have within the next few days since I'm working a bunch! Here mine go:

Katie's Top 10 of 2009

In no particular order:

1.         Biggest Overall Moment of 2009: Going to college: In this year, I’ve managed to graduate high school, apply and choose a college, attend said college, and go through the up’s and down’s always associated with first semester. Plus, I can sit here and say that although the beginning may have been rough, I’m sticking around to be a proud Carolina Gamecock!

           Internet Moment of 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0. On many blog lists of the “Top ___ of 2009” people seem to always include a youtube video. This one takes the cake in my opinion. You know you’re doing something right when The Office copies your wedding.

3.          TV Moment of 2009: Debut of Glee: This show crushes my TV quota for the year. I don’t download TV shoes from iTunes ever, and yet, I found myself downloading “Sectionals” (the episode) in order that it might hold me over until next season. Sorry Degrassi, Glee is just too good—I’m sure my dad would never think I’d like a show more than Degrassi since it’s on literally 24/7 in my house if I’m home!

4.          School Moment of 2009: Becoming an Ambassador: At school I’m now one of the tour guides who work at the Visitor Center. It is a pretty big deal at USC and so I’m super proud. This organization has played a major role in my decision to stay at school.

5.          Most Type-A Moment of 2009: H4H trip: I singlehandedly organized and carried out a Habitat for Humanity trip to Cary, NC. I was so proud of the 20 other classmates that joined me on the trip. It has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I would love to do one again. I can say on behalf of every member of the group that we had a great time and would go back in a heartbeat!

6.          Sports Moment of 2009: USC over Ole’ Miss: What a game it was! Ole’ Miss was ranked 4^th when USC played and beat them. It was the highest ranked team that USC ever beat. (Meeting Eric Norwood in person takes a close second place as far as best sports moments go in 2009)

7.          Personal Moment of 2009: Au Natural: I’ve taken my hair from bleach blonde “highlighted” to basically my natural color. And as my aunt Jeanne said, “Welcome back to the club”. It feels good, I must say!

8.          Occupational Moment of 2009: Working at the Naval Academy: This summer I worked at the Naval Academy during the first few days of Plebe Summer and I couldn’t be more thankful. Aside from working for Lilly, this has been the best job I ever had. Those new plebes were some of the most anxious, nervous, apprehensive, excited people I’ve ever met, and I cannot wait to go back next summer to be a friendly, smiling face to try to make them a little happier and their day a little brighter!

9.           Family Moment of 2009: Getting to know my sister: During the two years my sister and I overlapped in high school, we really got to know one another. I am so thankful that we did because I realize that it’s getting tougher and tougher now that I’m in college. The first night that I came home for Thanksgiving break she sat in my room for 2 hours and we talked about everything. I’m so proud of her and I’m so happy that she’s my sister. (My mom’s probably awww-ing right now, but I needed a family moment of 2009!)

10      Funniest Moment of 2009: The infamous Skype video: My roommate Kathleen was skypeing with a mutual friend of ours silently while I just happened to be dancing—just like nobody’s watching—to “Sexy B---h” thinking she would expect it. Well the joke was on me when I turned around to see the friend and his roommate watching. And laughing. A lot. Needless to say I turned PURPLE, and the friend and I never addressed it. (Kathleen, I hope you enjoy being included in this.)

         What were your top 2009 moments?! My 2009 was great, and I can't wait to see what the new year has to bring along with its arrival!

          xxKatie

Advice from...

Will Smith! 

Don't ask me why I thought of this song, BUT I've been all over it since last night! It is such a sweet song between Will Smith (and I'm assuming) his son!

My sister and I used to have (actually we probably have it in our house somewhere now...) one of the Radio Disney CD's (90's children's throwback anyone? Anyone??) and this was on it and I can remember rocking out to it very clearly. Anyway, part of the song says, "throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad--let God deal with the things they do, 'cause hate in your heart will consume you too, always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears" and I think it is such good advice! What a good message to tell your kids (and even keep in mind for us big kids!), and it has been on my mind since I heard it last night. 

I've had a very stressful week this week because of tests and everything--oh no!--so I'm sorry about the not so good posting! Since I was listening to this while studying, I thought I'd share so I could combine blogging and last night's mega studying!!

xxKatie

Shagging: The Official Dance of the Carolinas

One of my goals this semester is to learn how to shag. Shagging is the state dance of the Carolinas and it looks like fun. At first I thought it looked silly, but as I've seen it more at school functions, it seems pretty tough. From what I've heard, it's just a few steps that are repeated. In the dance, you never move the same foot twice, and that's (I think) the most fundamental idea of the dance. Shag lessons are offered everywhere here, and there's even a 1 credit class you can take through school at our workout facility, just for fun! Every Thursday a local Jillian's offers a shag night where they have college students and professionals teaching shag to all the newbies. Another great thing about shagging (at least for me) is that you are encouraged to wear flat shoes since there's so much shuffling-like movements. I like a dance where you don't have to be all proper and stuff and wear heels like ballroom and all the stuff you see on Dancing with the Stars. One website even says, "Your feet should nearly shuffle when you move them across the floor, as if your shoes were magnets and the floor was made out of metal", which is a neat thought. Take a look at the 2009 Shag nationals:



I also love this video. These are kids from the Junior national Shag competition, and I feel like if they can do it as awkward teens (really they are absolutely anything BUT awkward, that preteen boy is smooth actually) I could do it as an awkward college student. Look at these two:



I will definitely let you know how the lofty goal of mine goes. For now at least, I'm going to stick to watching the professionals on YouTube!!

Please let me know if any of you know how to shag!!! Any tips are appreciated!

PS. I think we've finally hit the nice weather for real. The rest of the week has high's in the mid-to-upper 50's so I'm thinking it will be full blown WARM weather by the time Spring Break finishes!! Yes!!

xxKatie