Win a PRIZE!!!

Want to win something cool?!?!

Leave a comment on this post with a creative, fun, unique topic for a blog post that you want to see me or another SMC blogger write about. That's right folks, YOU get to help decide what I'll be writing about on here!

All of the Bloggers will get together at the end of February to decide which ideas we like best. Feel free to leave as many blog topics as you want. If we pick your suggestion then you will win a fun prize! Then check back and see us blogging YOUR ideas!

The contest will end on February 28th so get those creative juices flowing. Don't forget name and email, so we can contact you if you win!

First SMC Blogger chat of the Spring Semester: This Thursday night from 7-9PM. Come chat with us about anything and everything SMC at www.smcvt.edu/bloggerchat

*Remember, only High School students can win the prizes but I would LOVE to hear from all of you!

Three Weeks

I don't know about you, but when I'm procrastinating, the hardest part of finally accomplishing the task I've been putting off is taking that first step. Opening Microsoft Word to begin typing an essay, getting geared up to go outside to take out the trash, opening a suitcase to unpack it... that's the hardest part. Because once you get started, you realize how simple your chore is- sometimes, you even remember that you actually enjoy the task you've been putting off!

Life has kicked into a pretty high gear lately, and every time I remembered I needed to write a blog post, the job seemed more and more insurmountable. 'But it's been so long! So much has been happening- I'll never be able to type it all out!' or 'I'm just not sure how I want to organize it.' or worst of all, 'Who's really going to read it anyway?'. Well... you, obviously.

So, to vanquish my vampires of self doubt (like that [title of show] reference? Yeah, I thought you might.) I'll be filling you in on what's been going on the the past 21 days.

• Break ended, and I returned from a quick weekend in D.C.
• Classes started. All six of them. Goodness gracious. This semester is all about discipline.
• I started working on things for Green Mountain Girls State 2010. The girls are in for an interesting week!
• I switched my web browser to Google Chrome. I'm never going back.
• Work work work work. I basically live at the store. And I like it!
• Pilates class started- I have learned that I am inflexible- embarassingly so.
• I had a tooth pulled- and I survived it without fainting. BIG accomplishment for me!!!
• Miss Vermont 2009, Laura Hall headed out to Las Vegas and has been representing all of us in Vermont AMAZINGLY! I'm in awe of her!

Laura in her Evening Gown






Laura performing her talent!

• Katie's amendment was passed out of the Vermont Legislature and will be on the ballot!
• I hung out at HQ for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains doing the whole intern thing. I got to meet Rosalind Wiseman, the author of 'Queen Bees and Wannabes'- she is brilliant!
• I walked in the ONE Fashion Event for the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington- the event raised $40,000!!!
  

• I got braces! Ahhhh!

• And that's about it. Want more details? Check out my twitter page.

Spring Semester 2010

Am I the only one who can't believe that it's actually 2010? Every January, I struggle to remember to write the new year whenever I write the date on something, but this year it seems especially weird. 2010? Shouldn't we have hover cars by now?

The semester officially starts tomorrow at St.Mike's, and I'm actually kind of excited. My classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays this spring, leaving more time for working and interning.

Starting Tuesday, I will be taking: Women in American Society, Research Methods, Symbol and Sacrament, and Women and the Christian Tradition. As you can see, it's a religious studies and gender studies heavy semester! Starting on January 25th, I will also be enrolled in two online courses- Introduction to Nutrition, and Philosophy. I'm bracing myself for a significant amount of school work. Ick :-/

My internship this semester is with the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains- I'm specifically working with the Girls Rock the Capitol Program, and I completely love the program! It's such a cool opportunity for girls in Vermont to really immerse themselves in the legislative process- I fully intend to devote a full post to the program and its greatness!

Spring semester is soon to become Miss Vermont Semester in out apartment- Katie and I met at the Miss Vermont pageant last summer, and we're already psyched for Miss Vermont 2010! I can not WAIT to cheer on Laura Hall, Miss Vermont 2009, as she wows everyone at Miss America this month- she's such an amazing representative for our state! Work outs, talent rehearsals, outfit planning, walking practice, paperwork and rhinestones are sure to become a major part of life in our little apartment this spring... and I couldn't be more excited for it!

Being involved with the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization is one of the coolest and most fun parts of my life, so I love every aspect of pageant involvement and preparation.

It's a brand new year!

10 days into the new year, and here's a brand new blog post!

-Christmas was a lovely day spent with family! I actually spent most of it boiling and dismembering sea crustaceans for my mom's lobster pot pie (her innovative alternative to turkey). Ever since the Lobster Incident of '01 ("I'm sorry lobster, I'm so sorry!!"), mom hasn't been allowed to cook lobsters. So instead, my grandma, my six year old brother and I took care of it.

-New Year's Eve/Day was SO much fun! Some of my best friends and I hosted a party at my mom's inn, and we has a great time. Good food, good friends, good music.... A number of people spent the night, and the next morning I made pancakes! A good time was had by all.

The past few weeks have been full of work, time with friends, work, starting my new internship (details to come!), work, sledding, a weekend in D.C., and preparing for the coming semester.

Work: I've been liking my job even more lately. Since I've been there so much, I've ended up taking on a few more responsibilities, and I love it! The clothing and accessories we sell delight me, and I genuinely enjoy the girls I work with. :-)

D.C.: At the moment, I'm back at Dulles (again!) waiting to board my flight home to Burlington. I was able to take care of a few things down here before throwing myself into the insanity of the spring semester. James and I took the 14 HOUR TRAIN RIDE from Vermont to Washington, and I was able to spend a few productive days in the big city. While here, I found out that one of my best friends from SLU is currently doing the Washington Semester program at American University (which I'm applying to attend in the very near future :-), and I was so glad that Liz and I got to hang out and catch up!

Now that I'm back and blogging, keep an eye out for the coming posts:

Girls Rock the Capitol- all about my new internship!

Spring 2010- what does the new semester have in store?

Pageant Time!

I'm Caroline, and I survived the Fall Semester

It's official!

I've taken the last few classes, taken (and done surprisingly well on) final exams, and am now free of school work until January 12!!!

The past few weeks have been devoured by studying, writing, working, not sleeping, and the general emotional uproar that this time of year always seems to bring. It really doesn't seem possible that Christmas is only 6 days away... I don't have any Christmas shopping done! The way I see it, if you get your gift by 12th night, it still counts. So friends and family, you might be getting something from me at some point during the first week of January. Brace yourselves.

Today and tomorrow are my first days off in..... a very long time, and they're my last days that I'm not working at the store until January 2. Somehow, selling things has consumed my life lately!

I'm beyond excited that all of my friends who went off to school elsewhere are back in Vermont for a bit, that I get to go to pub quiz with them, that I get to go to shows and concerts they're performing in.... I'm very glad!

OK, in order to save this from being the most boring blog post I've ever posted (and there have been some pretty blah ones....), let's toss in a few details about recent events.

- I went to the last SMC Blogger meeting of the semester! Those guys really are very awesome.

- I cooked Renaissance Rice Pudding for a class project. It turned out pretty well! I worked with Caitlin, who I went to high school with (and we were on the field hockey team together, and in lighting booth together, and in the musical together, and skit nite, and.... you get the picture), but hadn't worked with on a project since we were lab partners in Chemistry during our junior year!

-I went to the Madrigal Festival to support my former singing group, the MVU Master Singers. I also got to see their parents (many of whom have known me since before I had contact lenses) and friends who sing with other high schools. I had a ton of fun with Zac and Will while tallying up points for each of the groups!

-I took, passed, and most importantly SURVIVED final exams.

-I had my last LAST day working at the Senator's Burlington office as an intern! I'm going to miss that office- everyone's so wonderful and hilarious. I really really appreciate the opportunities that I've had because of my time there!

Next up:

- I start my new internship with Girls Rock the Capital on Monday!!!

- I can't wait for this event: Bash for Books! (You should come if you can!)

- CHRISTMAS

- Work, work, work, work, work.........

-The most awesome New Year's Eve party EVER- I have some grocery shopping to do...

Things I Love About the Holidays: A Bright and Shiny Blog Post!

-Sending Cards.

It's a great, simple, low tech way to let people know you're thinking about them during this festive time. I especially enjoy sending them to friends who live far away, and giving them to professors as a thank you for a good semester.

-Going to get the Christmas Tree.

When I was younger, we lived overseas and finding a tree to put up and decorate wasn't always easy (especially the stint in Indonesia). In the past few years, a new tradition has emerged for my family. My mom and I (and sometimes my now 16 year old brother, William) drive to a nice stand of white pines (because our Christmas Tree has to be a white pine) either in the woods or on a rural tree farm, we wade through waist-high snow, and use a handsaw to chop down a tree. It was from these expeditions that our family motto for Christmas emerged: 'The holidays are about suffering. And family. And suffering with your family. '

-Cooking.

Until about a year ago, I had a reputation as a terrible cook... but then I started making bread pudding. Now, whenever there's a family dinner or a holiday party, I'm there with a tasty, festive pudding- they're pretty delish.

These days I'm also making soups, chowders, and other tasty foods- I just love eating!

-The feeling of magic!

I don't know if it's the weather (the snow drifting down romantically), the lights, the food, the music, or the generosity in the air, but something about this time of year leaves a magical feeling everywhere.

It seems like all people are good, hope is all around us, and anything seems possible. Now, this doesn't mean everything is perfect- people you love can be far away (emotionally or physically), finances can be tight (especially this year), or a million other things could be less than ideal, but underneath the imperfection is a beautiful sense of hope and magic.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year....."

:-)

Two weeks?!?

I cannot believe that it's been over TWO WEEKS since I last put up a post!

Well, never fear, loyal readers (do you exist?), I'm throwing a couple of brand new posts your way!

The last time I updated, it was just before Thanksgiving. The holiday celebration was truly excellent this year! Food was good, company was lively, and we ended with Trivial Pursuit. Fantastic :-)

Since then, I've been muddling along as usual- working a lot, going to class, spending time with friends here and there, tweeting, finding new songs (falling in LOVE with 'The Boy Who Knew Too Much" album by Mika), working on potentially studying abroad next fall, and just making it through until exams.

Now I'm off to the grocery store for a late night, last minute food trip...