1st Game Tomorrow!

T.I.G.E.Rrrrr.S. Fight Tigers. Fight Tigers. Fight. Fight. Fight!!


In honor of the first game of the year I will have to post in purple and orange! Am I excited, YES! Am I going, No! However, I will try to get back to Clemson as soon as possible in order to catch SOME of the game.


True Life: I need present a serious issue... the Clemson Paw. I have avoided any post about this because I want to be tactful in my approach and as sweet as possible - despite being passionate. Over a year ago I first noticed the "issue." I have seen the "issue" multiple times and unfortunately, I see it almost every morning on multiple cars on my way to work. 


Cover your vehicle with ORANGE! Show your Clemson Pride, your Tiger Pride. Get flags, magnets, stickers, whatever you want to show your loyalty to the Tigers - I fully support the spirit! BUT if you're going to support your Tigers, please place the Paw in the CORRECT position/angle on your vehicle! I cannot tell you how annoying it is to see the paw with the hook (which means that it is a Clemson paw) perfectly perpendicular! Or even worse, to see the paw tilted to the 11 o'clock hour!

Let's understand some History: The Tiger Paw logo was introduced at a press conference on July 21, 1970, it was created by John Antonio and developed by Helen Weaver of Henderson Advertising in Greenville, South Carolina, from a mold of a Bengal Tiger in the St. Louis Zoo. The tell-tale hook at the bottom of the paw is a sign that this is the official licensed trademark for the university. 


Now, I understand that no where in the history does it say it has to have a 1 o'clock tilt, but COME ON... there is a reason the entire town has them everywhere at that tilt! Plus, don't mess with 40 years of University History! It is painted on roads, buildings, books, diplomas, championship rings, Athletic uniforms and stickers at the 1 o'clock tilt! What makes people think that they can change the tilt?


Please show your Clemson Pride and support by properly using the Paw! 
Enjoy the game. Enjoy the huge family of Clemson! And... Go Tigers!


www.clemsontigers.com

2 Years Ago, Tonight

2 years ago, tonight, on the campus of Clemson University, at the first FCA of the year, I was introduced to Philip.


Had you told me that that introduction would have been the start of an amazing friendship and the beginning of a lifelong relationship, I would have quickly laughed and said, "you really don't know me, do you?"


It was my senior year of college, my final collegiate season of rowing and my determination to prove successful in academics and athletics kept me on a perfectly straight line headed towards the perfect career - although I didn't know what it was, I was sure it would find me. I for one did not have the time for a relationship, especially a "first" relationship. My Type-A personality had already planned my schedule. That means, I had every last minute mapped out that year. I knew where I needed to be and why I needed to be there, which is why I was at the first FCA of the 2008-2009 school year. 

That Thursday night started just like every other Thursday night in Clemson, South Carolina. FCA likes to  have service in the amphitheater, in front of the library, a central location in campus, during the first few weeks of school while the evening weather is comfortable and numbers are large. They fill the over sized steps students and the stage with the worship leaders, musical equipment and instruments. My roommate Caitlin and I decide that despite our devoted time to rowing, we would make an effort to volunteer with FCA that year. We decided to be greeters. We jumped to our location for the evening and smiled, waved and joyfully greeted and invited all who walked near. Our purpose was to welcome back anyone from before and welcome in anyone who was new.


While I had only attended Clemson for a full year at that point, I already had a great group of friends and connections with many people on campus. That's one of the amazing things about Clemson. You can have a class with someone and never speak to them in that semester. However, if you see them at a University event you automatically know that you have a friend. You slightly remember the persons name, you have that awkward but fun introduction time and then you begin a conversation that could easily be found in a comfortable coffee or ice cream shop. I was seeing friend after friend and new faces all around. I am a talker so a few people got more time than others and some just got a wave. 


My friend Chris and I were talking after the service, catching up on each others summer activities, when this guy comes up and starts talking to Chris. Since I was already in a conversation with Chris, I was of course involved in this new conversation brought to him. This random guy, who I do not know starts talking about where he was sitting and who sat down with his group during FCA. I like people, I get energy from being around people and therefore feel like I am perceptive to personalities. This guy seemed like a easy-going type and so I speak up; "Well don't you think you're special." He froze and semi-smiled, then I introduced myself. He did the same; "Hi, I'm Philip." Chris and him were in a small group together. The year before, I had actually met Chris for the first, or maybe second, time at the first FCA of the year because of an old friend from High School. Who would have known that a year later my new friend Chris was introducing me to the man I would spend the rest of my life with?


Needless to say, Philip and I had become friends. I was at dinner the next night, Friday the 29th, with a friend and he was coming into the same restaurant with his group of guys as we were leaving. Both of us are confident people and immediately reunited the introduction from the previous night. Now, again, I was focused on ME. I knew I wanted to rock my thesis for my senior year in my Communication degree. I knew I wanted to be the coxswain of the Varsity 8 boat and help our Lady Tigers have the best season of Clemson Rowing to date. Finally, I knew that I wanted to graduate from Clemson and have to turn down jobs because I was just that amazing - okay, don't worry... being humble will be another blog! Because of all of these things that "I knew" I saw my friendship with Philip as a friendship for a year that would probably become a "leave a Birthday note on Facebook" type-of-friendship... Oh, I was so wrong!

It's two years later and he is my best friend. 
He is my the only boyfriend I've ever had. 
He is my fiance'. 
He is my future husband! 
He is a blessing I was at first ignoring from God. 

He is the Cowboy, a good ol' Southern gentleman, who made Prince Charming look like a Rodeo Clown. I could not have asked for anyone else because God knows who is perfect for me.


It's two years later and I could not be more thankful for the people I have had in my life that brought him into my life!




Happy two years of the greatest friendship ever Philip! I love you!

And So It Begins...

Who would have ever guessed that after growing up in beautiful waterfront Annapolis that I would take the next steps of my life in the beauty of Southern living in the Upstate of South Carolina. With Orange running through my blood, proud of my Tiger years, and a Cowboy being Prince Charming, I could not ask for more as God continues to show me His Heart!

Tomorrow marks year 2 of not being in school. Clemson University will begin their Fall semester tomorrow and while I do not exactly miss school, I desire that anxiety of finding my new classrooms, meeting my new professors and listening to expectations for the semester. With that anxiety there is so much excitement when you see familiar faces on the Library bridge or in Daniel and Vickery Hall.

Tomorrow actually marks one complete year of despising this countries economy as I have a college degree, a full resume and no career. The saddest thing is, I do not stand alone. But, I want to stand out.

I am starting this blog as a challenge. A challenge that will keep me accountable to my past, my present and my future. A challenge that will utilize my outstanding education. This is a challenge to keep connected. With family and friends around the entire country, this is my communication.

I will challenge myself to write again!

I want to share everything from my day, fitness advice and tips, cooking fun, what I'm learning in the Word and even some of my thesis research - maybe.

I cannot promise that every post will be entertaining. What I can promise is that every post will have a purpose whether for you or for someone else... I'm looking forward to this challenge and officially, It Begins...