Sunday, November 11, 2012

One of My Favorite Traditions

No where else can you experience a massive bonfire, pep rally, the largest collegiate parade, and great football--all in the same weekend.

What I love most about Baylor Homecoming is the long, rich history of tradition.  To date, Baylor has celebrated Bears coming home for 103 years.

It's my senior year, and I can't help but to get a little emotional when I think about the past four homecomings I've experienced.  Freshman year, I went to Freshman Mass Meeting.  I learned about the  significance of the Immortal 10 and stayed up way too late dancing to Michael Jackson music, while building the bonfire with some of the girls in my dorm.  I was a little sleep deprived the next morning in Scriptures class.
Immortal Ten Ceremony
Freshman year
Freshman Mass Meeting
Freshman year
Building the bonfire with my roommate, Stormy
Freshman year
Building the bonfire
Freshman year 
Bonfire
Freshman year
Bonfire with my friend Lauren. We both lived in NORO.
Freshman year
100 year celebration
Freshman year 
At the Homecoming parade with Corrin and Lauren
Freshman year 
Running the line
Freshman year
Corrin and I with Bruiser
Sophomore year
Meagan and I at the parade
Sophomore year
At the bonfire with Momal, Hannah, and Mom
Junior year
ADPi's float:  The Mad Tea Party
Junior year 
ADPi's float with Lauren and Kaitlyn
Junior year
ADPi's Float with Hannah
Junior year
Every year is different in its own way, but the homecoming celebrations remain constant.  At the pep rally, Patt Neff shines bright green as shimmery fireworks explode from the side of the building.  The bonfire's heat is strong and visible as orange and yellow flames reach to scary heights.
Fireworks at the pep rally
Freshman year
The family at the bonfire
Senior year
The bonfire
Senior year
The next morning, the cool crisp early air hits your face, as you leave your apartment in pitch black to reserve front row spots on the curb for your family and friends.  Then there's the rush of excitement and anticipation of waiting for your float to come sauntering down 5th street.

 Memories of messy paper mache, monotonous "pomping" of bright colored tissue paper, and tireless cutting of cardboard leafs all culminate to this one rush.  I'm snapping all the pictures I can from the sidelines, trying to take it all in, and making sure my family gets a good look at it, too.  I'm also sizing up the other floats...they get credit, but ours is always the best to me.  After looking up at all the floats for a couple of hours, it's time to go the game.
ADPi's float:  Baylor in Paradise
Senior year 
The family at Floyd Casey Stadium
Senior year
A Bear Dog with mustard and relish, accompanied by a Diet Dr. Pepper serves for lunch.  Then it's sic 'em bears and a beautiful performance from the band.  After we win, we go scout out more food.  George's is always a game day favorite; you can order a Big 'O everything.  Another Baylor homecoming has passed. 

The family at Floyd Casey Stadium
Senior year
When I go to Baylor Homecoming next year, I will be an alumnae.  The year 2013 will be very different, but I'll come back home to Baylor, and it will all be the same.  Sic 'em.
Pep Rally
Senior year

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Reasons I've Had a Good Month:

I haven't blogged in a month.  If I were to give excuses they would all be summed up with one word:  busy.  Like most students, it's that time of year where everything seems to hit you at once: tests, papers, presentations, etc.  That's what I'll be working on the next 9 days before I head home for Thanksgiving.

To recap the past month, I've been overwhelmed by God's provision and grace.  Here's a glimpse of some positive things that have been going on in my life:

1.  The website that I've been working on for my sorority since January went live on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.  I'm so excited to finally see it come to life and share it with everyone!  Check it out: www.bayloradpi.com.

2.  I love my internship.  I'm so thankful that God brought this opportunity into my life.  I've learned so much and really enjoy what I do.  My job is always a highlight of my week.  My passion for photography has only grown.

3.  Generosity.  I received a couple of surprises from some people that absolutely made my day.  I'm inspired and reminded to do kind things for people.

4.  I got a card in the mail from my mom the other week.  It's the little things.

5.  We had a Parents' Weekend tailgate, which was so fun!  Shout out to Lauren and Kaitlyn for doing such a wonderful job!



6.  I've had really great conversations with my roommate.  She is such an encourager!  We are silly because we have dance parties all the time and always find reasons to laugh; we are daring because we made plans to be.  (And we might have carried some of those plans out...)

7.  I went to a shower for one of my good friends!  It was great to share some of those fun moments with her.

8.  I got a new lens!  It takes beautiful pictures.

9.  I auditioned for SING 2013 and made specialty dance!  I love dancing and performing, and it will be such a blessing to perform with my sisters in Waco Hall again.

10.  Homecoming was such a blast!  My family came down, and I had so much fun sharing Baylor traditions with them. 
Basically, I'm just a really happy girl.  Can't praise God enough for such a wonderful life.