Longest Week

This is how I feel. 

This has been THE LONGEST week ever. I am SO tired! I think it's just that week right before all my class' first exams start, where I've settled into my schedule, and I'm starting to understand the demand derivatives for Cobb-Douglas economic functions for utilities (catch that?).

Anyway, I'm going to use this weekend to VEG out, sleep in (as much as I can), and bask in saving all my homework until Sunday night. Needless to say, I'm SO happy that this week is O-V-E-R and I can relax today!

Has this week been as crazy for y'all as it has been for me? Are you feeling like that little guy up there? If you answered yes to any of the above questions (anyone else taking Marketing Research?) I hope that you'll get a chance to unwind and take a break this weekend too!!

xxKatie

Weekly Gratitue

Already almost a month under my belt here at home. The weeks are flying by--I seriously do not know where my time is going these days!

(Picture, see WG #4)

1. I am thankful for the Naval Academy. It has a special place in my heart and will have one forever. I've had so many sponsor brothers and sisters (my number is in the teens) and I'm lucky to have met all of them. Just the other night my "youngest" (and by youngest I mean newest) brother had a few of his company-mates over and they had a wonderful time. It was great to meet them all!
2. I am thankful for new blog friends. You never know where they pop up and I know I have a few close ones.
3. I am thankful for this hot weather. With hot weather it brings sunshine, pool openings, and lots and lots of barbecues! Is there even a better way to spend the summer?
4. I am thankful I work in a dog friendly store/town. I've learned so much about different kinds of dogs just from letting them walk in!
5. I am thankful for eBay. I've been having way too much fun browsing their selections. I may or may not be online browsing for formal dresses that I don't need but it's still a heck of a lotta fun!
6. I am thankful for weddings. Weddings are giving me the best opportunity to work this summer in a capacity that I never expected!
7. I am thankful for Pinterest! It is the coolest online live thought board. I am beyond obsessed. Still...
8. I am thankful for hot dogs. I eat them for dinner if we're grilling, and sometimes for lunch from Pip's (my favorite place to eat when I work in Annapolis). I have eaten so many recently, there are few foods that say summer like hot dogs!
9. I am thankful for Facebook and Twitter (probably one of only a few people who are actually "thankful for it"...). They are allowing me to stay in contact with lots of my close friends in a more fun way than emails, texting or phone calls!
10. I am thankful for all the new experiences and friends that I'm getting and making this summer. I know I say it, but I really believe that Summer 2011 is set to be the best on the books for me!

xxKatie

Summer Reading: The Art of Racing in the Rain

I just finished The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein on Friday. I bought it on Friday as well. Spending the better part of the day reading this book I couldn't put it down. To preface this review, TAORITR is easily in my top 3 books ever. I'm not a pet owner (however I plan on getting a Westie eventually) but this book made me understand so much about owning a dog.

I don't want to give too much away because I want everyone to go out and read this! A very brief summary, but this novel is about a man named Denny who adopts a mix-breed dog named Enzo (named after a famous race car driver, there is a big racing theme) and their life together. The beginning is rocky but it goes through their entire shared life from bachelorhood to old age. 

Never in my life have I cried as much in a book as in The Art of Racing in the Rain, but I also couldn't put it down. The last 15 pages were straight tears as were other parts of the story. It was a WONDERFUL book whether you're a dog owner/lover/anything or not. I absolutely recommend this book to any and everyone so please go out and snag this book or download it on your kindles and nooks ASAP! There is no question in my mind why this is a NYT Bestseller! 

xxKatie

PS: This book is the first book I've read this summer. Keep an eye out for other book reviews. I have 4 more books currently on the shelf ready and willing--it's just the beginning!

No School for South Carolina!

Best post-birthday news ever: Because of winter weather conditions, the University of South Carolina Columbia campus will be closed Monday, Jan. 10. Please monitor this site for updates.


No school for me for a snow day! I wasn't even taking the "threat" of a wintry mix seriously because it wasn't like freezing yesterday. It's going to be a great little day before the semester starts!! Now I get to prepare my room, try to meet with teachers, and look up my future Westie all day long! I'm quite the lucky girl (along with 28,000 of my good ole' Gamecock friends) aren't I?!

xxKatie

P.S.: I was a big Peter Rabbit fan (thanks Dad!) when I was little, so I couldn't pass up this picture!

A Dog?

So the last few days, I've really wanted a little buddy to hang out with while I do my homework and watch (the very little amount of) TV with me. Weird thing though, I've never been a dog kind of girl. I'm afraid of big dogs and I've just never really been a fan of them. So this feeling is so bizarre. But I can't help but just want a little pet to love me. I really want a West Highland White Terrier. How can you not just love this little face?

I'm absolutely sure anyone who knows me is probably like WHO ARE YOU, but I'm just smitten with this little guy!

I know next to nothing about pets, but I just can't help but want to look at more cute little photos of them!!

I'm thinking this one's like a model!

Anyone own one of these lovebugs? I'm sure they're just as cute as they look!!

xxKatie