At the beginning of this year I made 3 New Years resolutions: to read more, to choose the right college, and to have genuine friendships. If you can’t guess which one I failed to do, let’s just say I love Ole Miss and my friends are marvelous. Hey, you know what they say: 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
Okay so maybe I didn’t read as often as I had planned this year, but I did use all that time I would have spent with my nose in a book doing some pretty memorable things. Not all of these moments are necessarily my most shining moments, but they were memorable nonetheless. Here are 17 times that I will never forget from 2017.
(1) That time I was a Catholic “college” kid for a week
Every 2 years the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) puts on a national conference called SEEK. I was lucky enough to attend the conference in San Antonio with 30 of my classmates and it changed my life. I walked away from that conference with a renewed sense of confidence and a stronger faith. During that week I learned so much about who I was and who I wanted to become.
Also quick shoutout to Sarah Swafford. I kid you not, I left SEEK determined that I was going to be Sarah Swafford when I grow up. If you have never heard her speak or read her book, do it, right now, click the link.
(2) That time golf sent me to the ER
Yes, you read that correctly, a round of golf (actually it was just one hole) resulted in 7 stitches on my forehead. This, my friends, is what happens when you open up your club face on an incline by a set of rocks. I turned my father’s burnt orange golf towel maroon, insisted on Netflix and ice cream with my best friend and sat in the children’s ER for way too long waiting for a plastic surgeon. Yes, you read that correctly too, I waited for the French-Canadian plastic surgeon to drive all the way from downtown just to stitch up my forehead #spoiled. I am happy to report that the scar is barely visible and I was back at the course within a couple weeks.
(3) That time I go into my dream school
McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin *drops the mic*. Picture a varsity cheerleader bawling her eyes out in the hallway while there is a pep rally going on in the gym, that was me the day I got in. I was so excited that I even bought my dad, a McCombs alum, a Texas Dad shirt and a sticker that said “My daughter and my money go to UT”.
(4) and then decided to attend my actual dream school
Say it with me, “I am an Ole Miss Rebel”. Turns out I had gotten into my dream school last fall, it just took me a while to realize. I would like to thank the Ole Miss and Mississippi State baseball teams for looking so cute that March evening, I couldn’t have made the choice without you.
(5) That time I retired as golf captain
First of all, still wondering how I became captain of the varsity golf team. I had joined the golf team on a whim my freshman year and it stuck. Coach Becerra told me that the game of golf had chosen me, so I don’t think I ever had a real choice in the matter. When I woke up that April morning I knew it was my last round of golf as Eagle 1; (1) because it was a hard course I had never played and (2) Shelby and I decided we rather go see a movie at 7 AM than play golf. While I never broke 100 in my 4 year career, I did attend four regional tournaments, two state tournaments (one during an AP exam) and I had the coolest coaches of all time (shoutout to Grandpa Becerra and JJ).
(6) That time my sister took my spot on the cheer team
What are the odds that the day I led my last pep rally as varsity cheer captain was also the day that my little sister made the team? Do the stats and let me know. My dad said that he could tell that he wasn’t a cheer dad between the end of the pep rally and Caitlin’s congratulation’s email. I honestly cannot think of a moment this year when I was more proud of my little sister, who I guess isn’t that little anymore. I ❤️ my Savio Cheerleader!
(7) That time I declared myself the Jesus of my dance team
I know this sounds sacrilegious, but I promise you it’s not. Every year before our spring recital, my dance team would have team dinner in the lobby of the auditorium. I was the only graduating senior on my team and I was starting to get sentimental when I realized this was the last time I was going to eat with them before a show. And then it hit me: this was my last supper, there were 12 other girls on my team, I was Jesus. So what did we do, we recreated Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. My little sister was Judas. It was #iconic.
(8) That time Savio turned into a beach
My last day of high school had a very early and very dramatic start. Thankfully breakfast tacos, beach themed puns and my girl squad made it all better. We had leis, hammocks, metallic palm trees; I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a fake beach. I don’t think there was a day in high school when I cried, laughed and napped as much as I did on that day.
(9) That time I graduated
It was a bittersweet moment. I had graduated from the 8th grade four years ago in that exact spot with many of the same people, so I couldn’t help but get sentimental. Quotes of the day: “Go Rebels” – Mr. Daniels shaking my hand after receiving my diploma and “We left some big shoes to fill, and we all know the juniors have really small feet.” – Ben Wagner in his Salutatorian address. High school may technically be over, but not to worry because Texas high school never ends.
(10) That time I danced for the last time
I still cannot believe that I don’t take weekly classes at Shirley McPhail School of Dance. This solo was the perfect way to say good bye to not just dance itself, but to all of my teachers, teammates and everyone at the studio who supported me for 15 years. The first time I performed this solo I literally cried on stage before the lights went out, but this time something was different. At the end of this performance I couldn’t help but smile. I knew that the last 15 years of late nights in the studio culminated in a dance that I was proud of. The best part was that all my teachers were standing in the wings waiting for me when I ran off.
(11) That time I ate a macaron in front of the Eiffel Tower
I cannot tell you how long my sister and I had dreamt about eating macarons from Ladurée in front of the Eiffel Tower. We definitely bought pistachio and lavender macarons for the aesthetic and had a full on photo shoot. Our entire trip to Paris, from the Louvre to Disneyland Paris, was delightfully magical.
(12) That time I went to college
One of the boldest things I did this year was move to Mississippi for college. If you would have seen my family on move in day you would have thought we all hated each other, who knew a room the size of a walk in closet could cause so much stress. The hardest thing to do was say good bye to my family *George Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away plays in the background*. After one semester, I can confidently say going to Ole Miss was the best decision I made this year.
(13) That time I fell in love with the SEC
My love affair with the SEC started at my first football game as a real life Ole Miss Rebel. College football will always be my favorite thing about the fall. The Grove is like heaven on earth every Saturday in Oxford, I promise it will never disappoint (not even in the rain). A couple highlights of my first SEC season include my first Ole Miss-LSU game, winning the Egg Bowl (#FailState) and watching Bama lose to Auburn.
(14) That time I THOUGHT THETA
Sorority recruitment was one of the most stressful weeks of my life, but BID DAY WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!! There is literally no place I would have rather run home to. Since joining Theta, I have already made friends that will last a lifetime. I am so excited to see where this house and these girls take me in life. TLAM!
(15) That time I jumped out of the back of an Acadia in my high school parking lot
Full tank of gas: $22
Flight home: $200
The look on Caitlin’s face: Priceless
(16) That time I found my best friends
I think I knew from the moment I met them that they were a special group of gals. I seriously do not think I could have survived this semester without them. Ladies, I am counting down the days until we are back in Ox and I know 2018 is gonna be lit with y’all by my side.
(17) That time I got the best big ever
I know every little in the world says she has the best big ever, but you don’t understand how amazing my big and the rest of my fam are! From the moment I met Kelsey, I knew without a doubt she was the one for me. I don’t know what I would have done if those doors would have opened and it would have been anyone else in that yellow Power Ranger onesie. Kelsey, I love you more than you know, xoxo Little C.
2017 was quite the memorable year for me. I learned that change can be good and that new adventures are always worth it. I also learned that I have so many people in my life that are there for me no matter what happens. I cannot wait to see what 2018 has in store.
Ily -cat