Courtney’s Haven

I Graced Graceland with my Presence

Okay, well not quite, but I was in Tennessee this weekend.

At 4 o clock in the morning on Friday, I was loading a bus in College Station because the band I’m here on campus was being flown to Tennessee to support the volleyball team at the NCAA Tournament in Knoxville, TN. We were given “meal money” ($117.00), flown to Nashville, stayed in a fairly nice hotel, etc. All of it was free. What an awesome trip!

Of course, we had time to explore Knoxville, which was a very pretty city with a good atmosphere. I made a lot of friends whom I can see myself spending time with outside of the basketball games. I bought some Christmas presents. We ate at a really nice restaurant after our last game (the Tennessee Grill), and once in a while, it’s nice to treat yourself to a nice meal. All and all a good weekend.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

Now time to study for 2 tests tomorrow. Happy Holidays!

Study Break

I can’t think of what I want for Christmas at all. I’m sorry people who wanted to buy me one. I say donate that money to a charity because they need it more than I do.

My birthday is tomorrow—-the big 20! I feel so old, yet I know I’m still so young. I plan on studying for my hardest final, Conservation Principles. My mom’s package didn’t come in though, so I guess I’ll get it on Monday. One of my friend’s is supposed to take me out to dinner. Who knows though? I could end up being too busy <- (probably the case)

I can’t wait till I can go home so that I can stop studying for my finals. I hate them so much. What I hate so much more is how arbitrary grades are. Depending on the kind of teacher you have, your grades will be different and not even equal. I hate hate hate it.

Something that does make me happy though is Christmas time. I like buying presents for people and all that jazz. I would rather give than receive, but I’m sure we would all.

I’m going camping at Enchanted Rock the 20th-22nd with a couple of friends. It sure will be fun, and I can barely wait.

Can’t wait to see everybody for Christmas.

Here’s a seasonal picture of my friend and me:

here

Enchanted Rock Camping Trip

Tomorrow a couple of friends (Kelly, Jeff, Jordan, Brandon, Tian) and I are going to go camping at Enchanted Rock for 2 days. It should be so fun! Not only do I get to hang out with some of my closest friends, but I get to be in beautiful nature. The last time I went to Enchanted Rock was when I was 8-10 years old with Meredith O’Riley actually. I remember we went into the bat caves and the one memory that plagues my mind is how frightened I was. I don’t think that will be a problem anymore, but that has and always will be a great memory.

Wow, how time passes.

The Day After Xmas

This is a continued entry from my Enchanted Rock camping trip.

Here are some pictures.

Now back to Christmas.

Materialistically, I received:

a tent
a tarp
a rio mp3 player (20 gb)
a pair of running shorts
a new sports bra
a black purse
a 128mb pen drive
2 pairs of scrubs
2 charms for my charm bracelet
4 piano books
an awesomely cool pillow
here on earth dvd
poetry book
disney night light
my dad’s old bathrobe

other stuff I got:

an extra 2 pounds of fat
realization that I grew an inch over the last year (that means I’m 5’7 3/4”)
the chance to play trumpet for xmas mass
the blessing of Jesus
a white Christmas (yes it did snow in Houston)

I know I must have forgotten something on the list. Oops in advance.

I bought almost all of my presents 2 days before Christmas. Kari came with me the first day. She was trying to find a gift for Andy, her “coolest person in the world” boyfriend.

All in all, it was one of the best Christmas that I have ever had.
There’s something about it.
I don’t know how to describe it, but all I know is that I have complete peace.
Hurrah.

20 down, many more to go.

:)