Alone tomorrow? I think not.

My parents have always been incredible in supporting me in my various ventures.  As a kid, I tried everything from gymnastics to baseball to swimming to attempting to play the clarinet (most of these things lasted a year and then I got bored of them.  Some lasted less... When you're hit in the middle of the chest with a baseball, things change).  I think the only things I never had an interest in were dance and cheerleading.

Because nobody should be without family for the holidays.

Anyhow.  They also taught me that giving is one of the most important things you can do.  Whether it's volunteering your time (hello, 152 hours of unpaid/volunteer internship last summer), helping someone sort through an issue (sometimes I feel like a psychologist, not an RA), or any number of other things.

They also taught me to treasure my friendships.  Sure, some have dissipated over the years, but most stay for a pretty long time.  Two of my best friends and I have known each other for eight years this year.  EIGHT.  That's a hell of a long time.  Or so it seems.

And I'm thankful for all of these experiences, lessons, and for the love they've given me.

However, for me, this Thanksgiving is different.  Sure, we're having my grandparents over, as well as two of my mom's siblings and their families, but we're also having one of my friends over.  She decided not to go with her mom and her partner and their two adopted children for Thanksgiving at a relative of the partner's.

I consider this friend, like many of my female friends, to be the sister I never had.  Because she's just that awesome.

She would have been home alone if I hadn't asked my mom if she could come over.  In my book, being home alone for any holiday does not fly.  Nobody should be without others.  Now let's only hope that she doesn't mind my ridiculous family.  Ridiculous as they may be sometimes... I wouldn't change it for the world.

Observations around Campus...

This entry is not to discriminate against anyone.  I'm against discrimination in all forms.  These are just some questionable things I've seen people wearing around my campus that made me take a second look and wonder why people wear the things they wear.

Additionally, I can honestly say I have no fashion sense whatsoever, nor does this bother me.  I'm most comfortable in a cotton t-shirt that's been washed so many times that it's nice and soft, zip-up hoodie, jeans, and a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors.  (Ironically enough, I'm a closet fan of Project Runway.  Although I guess the secret's out now.)


- Sweatpants + beaded moccasins... Just. No.

- Just because you can wear leggings so people can't see your undies doesn't make it okay to wear a dress so short it should be qualified as a shirt. Pants, people!

- Actually, sweatpants any time you are not lounging at home or at the gym just looks lazy. Gym shorts I can understand. Sweatpants, no. Same goes for pajamas. Not okay outside the privacy of your own room.

- Guys, wearing dress shoe moccasins (see picture for reference point) with shorts will just lead to me mocking you in my head. It looks ridiculous. I also envision a self-righteous fraternity boy/country club jerk with a cigar and an ego the side of Russia when I see people dressed this way.  Prove to me you aren't that guy.

- People who have to wear plain black shirts for work at the food service... Pretty sure that plain black tees aren't terribly expensive.  Wearing a printed black tee turned inside out just looks dumb and tacky.

- Grey leggings that look like you got mauled by a rabid cat + silver sparkly Toms + black hoodie = another no in Cary's book.

I realize that these probably sound trivial (which they are), but if past entries (here and here) are any indication of what I'm like, I love observing people... Oh, the fun of being a psychology major.

Have a great weekend, readers. I'm headed home this weekend. Off of campus. No on-call phone, no rounds, and yes to baking cookies with my mom. I can't wait.

All You Need is Love

On their wedding day

Love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love, love...

My dad graduated from high school in 1970 and college in 1975.  My mom graduated from high school in 1980.  They met in 1981, and were married four years later.

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

My parents have taught me so much in the last 21 years, and still do to this day.  But I think the most important thing they've ever taught me is love.  The love they share is present every time I go home for a weekend from school.

Their first Christmas as a married couple.

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

It's the big things, but it's also the little things.  My dad keeps a copy of their wedding picture in his wallet, front and center.  I keep a picture of them on my desk at school.  My dad is incredibly supportive of my mom (except for how stressed she gets... he and I share a mutual hatred for that).  She went back to school when I was in high school, and she and I will graduate hours apart in May.  She'll be getting her Master's and I'll be getting my Bachelor's.  I couldn't be more proud of her.

There's nothing you can know that isn't known
Nothing you can't seen that isn't shown
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy

Christmas last year

One of my favorite stories about them is one of the first birthdays my dad had when they were dating.  My mom was going to be working late, and so she decided to order a cake for my dad.  She phoned the bakery and said she wanted the cake to say, "Happy Birthday Baby."  The lady who took down the order asked how old the baby was... Needless to say, my mom wasn't quite sure how to respond, as the baby was my then-thirty something father.

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need

They've raised me and my brother.  Nearly every single friend of mine also calls my parents Mom and Dad.  They've taught me so much about life and love.  I only hope that one day I can be as lucky as they have been.

...All you need is love