348th Day

We ask that you now refer to us as Master Halpin and Master Van Anden, respectively. 

I'm so proud of this momma-to-be.

 And this brilliant one.

 And this guy I've know since he was twelve. 

347th Day

One of the best bits about graduating... fresh flowers. 

Day 348

Commencement was held indoors today at Monmouth College (unfortunately).

I still gave my Farewell Address. And I was still nervous.

I'm the first person in my family to graduate from college.

And I was excited to share this day with my family and friends

Best. Weekend. Ever.

Day 347

It's graduation eve in Monmouth!

The Baccalaureate service was beautiful. I definitely cried.

The President's Senior Gala was a time for celebration...and for friends!

And more friends! I successfully presented the $11,000 we raised for the senior class gift! Way to go Class of 2011!

Day 346

Channeling my inner-Colin Firth (The King's Speech, not Pride & Prejudice).

346th Day

A typical Friday night at the Hopleaf with some of my classmates for the first round of goodbyes. 

My beverage of choice: a Goose Island Matilda. I just love the goblet it comes in.

345th Day

So... does my M.A. grant me permission to become an arsonist??? 

Hmmmm... 

Wisdom from Fr. Garanzini: "Do well."

Yes, sir!

Day 345

Our grant proposal received full funding and we started digging our rain garden last night!

P.S. Our Day 344 posts seem to have gone MIA.

Day 344

Hurray for finishing my two speeches for this weekend, being able to watch movies/read books I actually want to read, meeting my IU roommate, spending my last night on duty in Founders Village, and JLo on the radio.

344th Day

Another absolutely perfect night for baseball...errr not! We survived the storm, but I think my Cards were a bit skiddish from all that lighting. 

343rd Day

An absolutely perfect night for baseball. Welcome back to Chicago, Redbirds - I've missed you so! Way to kick the series off with a win! 

With some of my classmates: Three Cards fans, one patient Cubs fan, and one Will Ippen. Thankfully, our love of history and baseball in general allow us to look past our team preferences. 

Day 343

Here's to the night we started to say goodbye...

We turned in our last library books...

...and played soccer until it got too dark to see the ball.

342nd Day

How many pictures of tulips can Paige take? Seriously?

I would apologize, but I'm not sorry. I'm so in love with the tulips all over the city!

Day 342

A little frisbee and barefoot soccer on Wallace lawn. The perfect way to procrastinate. And the grass feels so good under your feet!

Day 341

Dear Target, you help make finals week a little less stressful by providing me with a diversion of the shopping variety. New sandals, sunglasses, and nail polish! Summer is almost here!

P.S. My finger nails are painted for the first time since...senior prom??

341st Day

A good start to a great day.

340th Day

Brunch with a darling friend.

Day 340

My afternoon of studying and sleeping beneath the trees.

339th Day

I want a yard covered in tulips someday.

Day 339 {Friday Flashback}

My Mothers' Day Friday Flashback...

That's my mom, back in the day. Junior high, I think.

Like mother, like daughter?

I think I get my studious-ness from my mom. And today, during finals, I thank her for that. Thank you for pushing me to be the best I can possibly be.

338th Day

Yea, I'm jumping on my bed. What's it to ya? 

I finished my master's essay tonight - boom!

Day 338

Dear flowering trees that I pass on my way to Wallace Hall,

You are beautiful, but why do you smell so bad?

Day 337

Scenes from my last day of undergrad!

Awesome cheesecake and strawberries at the RA Banquet.

We all got mustaches to honor our favorite Associate Dean of Students!

Lookin' good, salt and pepper!

337th Day

A new frozen yogurt place opened near campus... just in time for finals, stressed students, and warm weather. 

Day 336

On a stressful day that has turned into a stressful night, I think Coke Zero and peanut butter Girl Scout cookies (I already ate all my Thin Mints during Bedknobs and Broomsticks!) just might be my saving grace. It's going to be another late one y'all...but...tomorrow is my last day of undergrad!

336th Day

I wonder if any of these guys were this one?

I want a rabbit again. 

Day 335

It's the last week of my undergraduate career and I think I might be pulling my first all-nighter. What happened to this excitement? Put on that pot of coffee, and away we go!

335th Day

Signs of new life and spring

in the midst of the news of the end of a life. 

Day 334

Walpurgisnacht! No dancing and bonfires for this kid, just paper writing. Although, some friends did talk me into watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks this afternoon. Gotta love some classic Angela Landsbury!

334th Day

There are finally signs of spring! Happy May Day!

Remember this scene in November?

The flowers and foliage on campus are always Loyola's colors.

Purple tulips in our backyard. 

Day 333

This Saturday's Top 5:

1. Sleeping in/Recovering from the Royal Wedding.

2. Driving to the QC to help a guy friend pick out tie and dress shirt combos to buy for Commencement weekend -- so much fun!

3. Olive Garden -- salad and breadsticks --'nuff said.

4. Whitey's Ice Cream -- banana, of course.

5. Going out with friends, friends, and more friends/pizza at 1 am.