The Boys are Back in Town

Greetings from Blacksburg, yall! Sorry its been a while, transitioning back into my busy life at school has taken precedence over my blogging as you can see! It feels so great and refreshing to be back in Blacksburg! I missed all my friends and just the atmosphere in general so much I can't even put it into words. The infectious feeling of joy I get every time as I pull off of 460 onto Southgate Drive, passing the maroon spray-painted bushes, the late summer breeze in the air lets me know that I'm finally home again. Virginia Beach may be my home, but Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is my life.

My first two weeks back were filled with late nights and early mornings with the people who make my life amazing (being in shambles as usual), going to classes where I'm actually engaged and interested in what I'm learning (which may I say is so refreshing), and meetings upon meetings getting back into the swing of things with all the organizations across campus that I'm involved in. But enough about me, although I'm sure some of you only read this to get an insider view on the going-ons of my personal life. Sorry bout it but I have way better things to talk about than my non-existent love life.

This past weekend marked the return of my favorite past time..  COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON. I don't mean to sound like one of those girls who complain about how they're "going to be alone forever," but if you know me well you know I always say " Football isn't going to wake up one morning and tell me it doesn't love me anymore or that it just wants to be friends." Saturday felt like Christmas morning as my Sportscenter alarm went off at 7:30am. Waking up my roommate and suite mate to Enter Sandman was also a fabulous way to start the day off right, forget the Wheaties. Entering Coach Frank Beamer's 25th season, all Hokie fans and myself alike know that we are not settling for anything less than greatness. I am happy to say we demolished Appalachian State yesterday afternoon. Sorry to all the haters and skeptics alike who said they predicted an upset for yesterday's game. The final score was 66-13, one of the highest scoring games in Virginia Tech football history. Congratulations to Logan Thomas on an impressive first start as QB for the Hokies. I think we all can say that he has big shoes to fill thanks to Tyrod, but I really can't complain about his performance yesterday. I mean don't get me wrong, there's always room for improvement, but he shut a lot of skeptics up yesterday with his performance, well at least until next weekend when we travel to Dowdy- Ficklen stadium to face the CUSA East Carolina Pirates. Im not going to sugar coat it, ECU is a great football program and has a great and energetic fan base down in Greenville.  I am excited to see Logan get better each week, along with the rest of the Hokies team.

Yesterdays game hopefully set the tone for the rest of the season. With our schedule being on the lighter side, we have no reason not to be in the ACC Championship game come this winter. As Hokies, we all know that we're great, the coaches know we're great, and so do they players who go into the trenches every weekend and bring home the victory regardless of the blood, sweat, and tears. I am anxiously waiting for next weekend to come to see what our team can do, and hopefully we can prove to the nation that we are Virginia Tech and that we are destined for greatness.

In the words of The Vince Lombardi (but slightly modified) this season I plan to live this out to the fullest:

God, Family, and the Virginia Tech Hokies.



Have a great week, yall!

HB

A Few of My Favorite Things

Well since this is my blog, I figured who doesn't wanna learn a little bit more about me. Here for your reading pleasure are a few of my favorite things. Enjoy loves.

(In no particular order)

1. Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Late. Enough Said. I suggest not talking to me before I get coffee in the morning. Starbucks is a gift from God, the baristas at home and at school know what I want when I come in now, I have earned my gold card and then some thats for sure.




2. Virginia Beach. Well any beach for that matter. I am a born and bred beach bum. I constantly have sand all over my car and a beach chair in my trunk. I may complain about VB often but I have spent many days basking in the sun on its many beaches. Life could be worse, I could be landlocked.

3. Classic Rock. If you have ever had the privilege of being in the car with me then you already know that the only stations I listen to are classic rock. My mom thinks that in a former life I may or may not have been a hippie. Don't get me wrong, I love country and everything else, but music isn't the same as it was back then, no one can debate that. I highly suggest never playing the "guess the name of the song/artist" game with me because you will always lose, I promise you. 

4. My Oh So Amazing Sorority. If you have had the chance to meet/hang out with my amazing sisters, you are lucky. If you have not, you are definitely missing out. As all of you know I am a sorostitute to the core, and these lovely ladies are helping me become the woman I am going to be some day. These Real Strong Women are the epitome of class, fun, and individuality. Unfortunately I cannot post a picture of these lovely ladies due to Panhellenic, so you'll just have to meet them and find out for yourself!

5. ESPN. My dream career. If you've had the chance to get to know me then you definitely know that I will debate sports with anyone. I know my stuff. My TV is always on ESPN, it is my homepage on my mac, and I would hands down rather watch Sportscenter than any of the ridiculous Real Housewives shows any day, sorry I'm not sorry Bravo. Dun-nun-nun-dun-nun-nuh

6. Driving with the windows down. Ever since I can remember I always used to beg my rents to let us have the windows down whenever we were in the car. I love the breeze and the wind blowing my hair. Cliche I know, but if it is above 50 degrees, I probably have my windows down.

7. My Family! (sorority fam and blood) I don't know what I would do without my dearest mother, sister, and brother. They are my rock, they have celebrated me at my best, and definitely seen me at my worst. They are my motivation and the greatest people I know, and they have to spend the rest of their lives with me, they probs deserve an award for having to do that. Some of you know, most do not, that my dad passed on the summer before of my senior year of high school, and it has only brought my family closer together, it is a constant reminder that you should never take anything or anyone for granted, but I also am now a firm believer in that Everything Happens for a Reason.

My sorority family is also near and dear to my heart. They have to constantly listen to me rant about my life, and are always there for me when I need a hug, a self esteem boost, or a slap in the face back to reality. They are the best (clearly because 1. they are in my sorority, and 2. they are my fam!)  Love you bitties and cant wait to add a g-lit soon ;) Walk of Shame Fam forevvvzzzz

8. Virginia Tech!!!!!! My love and loyalty to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University grows everyday and will be never ending. Ever since the day I stepped onto the campus in Blacksburg, I knew thats were I belonged, and I knew they needed me too. I have met some of my best friends for life there, and the school has given so much to me, and I hope to give even more back. Not to mention Hokie football is a definite plus!

9.  Retail Therapy. What girl doesn't love shopping? If you don't, then I'm seriously questioning your gender.  I don't know what it is, but shopping can change my mood immediately. I think we can all agree that its good for our wardrobe, but not our bank accounts. Especially when you are a prepster like myself. My friends have told me on more than one occasion that my children are going to be the ones in Lilly and baby Sperrys. Im not going to deny it, my children will probably be the ones with monogrammed everything and I do not have any problems with it.

10. A good bookshelf. It sounds ridiculous when I say this but I'm serious! I love to read, and I think books are so cool (call me a nerd if you wish) All books deserve to be displayed in a classy manner, so why not spruce up a bookshelf! When I am older and way successful I plan to have a whole library in my house, but for now I have to settle with the 2 bookshelves in my room.

11. The Big Apple. The city where dreams are made of. Every girl my age dreams of moving to New York City and finding love and success, yadda yadda yadda, but the only difference between myself and all the other girls is I'm actually going to do it. I thrive in environments where there is stuff constantly going on, so NYC is definitely the place for me. Eat your heart out Carrie Bradshaw, Im coming to take your place in a few short years.

12. Sex and the City. Speaking of Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City is my obsession. I have seen every episode and it is just fabulous. The style, the stories, the guys, are all perfection. HBO did something right. I also love Sex and the City because I have a miranda, charlotte, and samantha of my own. You know who you are ;) I like to think of myself as a combo of Charlotte and Carrie. Guys you probably have no idea what Im talking about, its a girl thing.

13. Sports Movies. Love 'em! Anything from Jerry Maguire to Remember the Titans, to For Love of The Game and everything in between. I've just about seen them all, and re-watch them all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love a chick flick, and can never get enough of Wedding Crashers, but something about a story line involving overcoming obstacles as a team, success, and winning draw me in.

14. Watching Sports. Whether its football, basketball, soccer, baseball, ect. Whether its in the stands or sitting in my living room, watching sports gives me a type of high I guess you can call it. Whether its being in the stands on an autumn afternoon, cheering for my Hokies, or watching game upon game of the NBA finals yelling at the TV to the point of my mother telling me to shut up, sports will always hold a special place in my heart. When it comes to sports, there is a passion within every fan and player. It doesn’t matter if you had the worst day ever, a good game allows you to live vicariously through the players, the coaches and the fans - even for a little while - and celebrate the achievements of the team. There is no guarantee in sports and that’s one of the big reasons why I feel I’m drawn to them so much. Life is the same way. 


15. Last but not least, Great Times with Great Friends. Can't forget about the people who are always there for you can ya? But seriously, hanging out with friends is the best form of medicine, it warms the heart, and makes you a better person. It could be just hanging out doing nothing, going on a road trip, or raging, being around the people you love is my favorite thing of all. I'll try not to forget about yall when I become famous and successful ;) 

"Here's a toast. To the good days, the better friends. The ones that you just can't live without. The people that have taught you how to party. How to live. How to have a good time just sitting around. Here are to the people that no matter how bad things seem, are going to be there for you. To lean back on and catch you if you fall." 

Sorry this post was kinda long, but lets be real, you know you enjoyed it! 

H.B. 

#Summerbreakproblems

If you are anything like me, you are constantly doing about a million things at once 9 months out of the year. Back in good ole' Blacksburg, I was constantly bombarded with homework, projects, meetings, deadlines, and trying to figure out how to squeeze my extensive social schedule in between it all. (Which may I say I did perfectly.) Now that I am home sweet home in lovely Virginia Beach, its a bit of a culture shock for me. I go from running around like a chicken with my head cut off to watching reruns of Sportscenter so many times a day that by the midnight airing I can tell you exactly what is about to come out of the commentators mouths, and I can tell you in order the Top Ten plays. I have already read 3 books cover to cover (at the moment I'm reading "When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi" by David Maraniss. I highly recommend it!) and I have also taken up golfing and many other hobbies. (I considered learning how to knit last week..me knitting? lets be real.)  I cant even sleep in anymore! Isnt that what summer break is for? I know what is going through your mind at the moment, 1. you have no friends, 2. get a job, but let me just share that even with a plethora of friends and an internship, Im still going insane. Maybe its just me but the withdrawals from being a sorostitute out of her element aka,Virginia Tech, is excruciating. I've come to the realization that many folks around here don't socialize multiple days a week, and they could care less that football season for VT starts in 87 days, 20 hours, and 22 minutes. Who knew that the amount of raging we do is actually frowned upon on by most of society? But alas, I guess I should look at the glass half full not half empty, I live by the beach so I can get my real, not orange and streaky, tan on. I can work on my fitness so I can represent America proud Fourth of July weekend when I don my Star Spangled Bikini. The NBA Finals are still going on (GO HEAT), so I have a few more games before the drought in sports (only baseball) begins. Also, I am learning the ins and outs of the broadcasting world so I can perfect my talent, so thankfully for most I can replace Rachel Nichols in a couple of years. I am heading back to Blacksburg next weekend with Babes and my Best Melly for the weekend so I'm sure an eventful post will follow.



Shout out to LWesty and my fave "Fratstar"for continuing to stalk out this blog and keep me posting somewhat diligently.


Stay grinding my friends, we will be reunited to rage soon enough.

HBills

Finals hit me like Bynum.

Disclaimer: If you do not want to hear another college student complaining about finals, then I suggest you find someone else's blog to stalk.

Any-who, its that dreadful time of the year again. Finals mixed with the emotions of saying goodbye to friends, and the lack of work ethic that accompanies the warm weather makes it quite the daunting task to try to finish out the semester strong. With the help of my only true love, coffee, amazing friends who make you smile when you're on the verge of chucking your textbook across Newman Library, and the sweet taste of summertime on the tip of my tongue, I am 24 hours away from being done with my Sophomore year. Don't worry, I'm not gonna get all sappy or anything, but its definitely a bitter sweet feeling. I can't even begin to imagine what the seniors are thinking. Godspeed.
Over the past 4 semesters (2 years for you geniuses)  I have learned a lot, and no I'm not talking about from my professors. I haven't treated yall to a list lately, and I am procrastinating studying about inflation and aggregate demand, so here are ten things that I have learned since my mom dropped me off, feeling like I was back in kindergarten again, in Lee Hall 2 years ago.

(in no particular order):

1. SCHOOLWORK ISNT EVERYTHING. let me repeat that, SCHOOLWORK ISNT EVERYTHING.
if your face is constantly shoved into a textbook, you're going to miss out on everything else that your school has to offer.
2. Moms really do know best. As a girl its hard to admit sometimes, but homegirl always knows whats best.
3. Its okay to change your major. Some people go into college knowing exactly what they wanna do with their lives, and everyone else has no idea.
4.  Be yourself, your friends will love you for you. Its frightening coming to college and making almost all new friends. Stay true to yourself.
5. Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. I swear all girls want in college are relationships. Chill out sweethearts, don't settle just so you don't have to be "alone".  Live up your single years while you can!
6.  Take every chance you can to help someone else. Maybe its just me, but I feel like "Ut Prosim" courses through my veins as a Hokie. Get involved in community service! Make a stranger smile! You never know how you can effect someone's life in a positive way.
7.  Don't ever feel guilty about having a good time. You'll never remember the classes you took, the memories you have with you friends having a blast will forever be engrained in your mind (if you can remember them)
8.  Have school pride! Clearly you applied to your College or University for a reason, and you got in while others didn't, be proud of that! If your school sucks at athletics, or if your school just won the national championship in basketball, football,  or bass fishing (VT's only national championship, just a fun fact) you should rock your school colors with pride. Or be like a Hokie and take this to a whole new level. Put it on your car, your mailbox, your lint after drying your clothes, ect.
9.  Don't take yourself too seriously. Some days everything is going to go wrong, and if you don't carry yourself with poise, and grace, and the ability to laugh at yourself, you are never going to survive.
10. You can't always get what you want. Life is full of disappointments, but when one door closes, another one opens, and most of the time, its the door that you need to get where you wanna be!


Hopefully you'll take some of these lessons with you, or realize that you have learned the same thing!
Have a raging rest of finals week loves, and have a fabulous summer. Mine will be filled with beach days, an internship, making paper, and making questionable decisions, as usual.

Stay Classy, yall

HB

I'm proud to be an American, and a Mets fan.

What a couple of days, let me tell you! Sorry I know I said I would be more diligent with my posts, but being a college student gets tough towards the end of the spring semester. But on a better note the past fews days have been amazing! Formals this weekend was out of this world. Gatlinburg, TN will never be the same thats for sure. Honestly contemplated not coming back and just staying at the cabins forever. But alas,  I have returned to Blacksburg and turned on my grind to finish out the semester with a bang. I am now the assistant director of Hokies on Fire. If you don't know what that is then 1. get your life together and 2. attend Virginia Tech basketball games this upcoming season. But if that wasn't good enough news in itself,  Sunday night was of historical proportions.

The Mets beat the Phillies. Lets be real, it becomes quite a job being a New York Mets fan sometimes, and by sometimes, i mean all the time. But I stay true to my team. Thanks to a first time starter, Ronny Paulino, the Mets overpowered the Phillies, and earned the W, 2-1 in 14 innings. But surprisingly this isn't the best of the news. During the 9th inning, the fans, both Mets and Phillies alike starting chanting U-S-A after hearing the jaw dropping news that Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, had been assassinated.

As a Navy brat, and residence of Virginia Beach, I've just gotta give a little shout out to the Navy Seals (stationed in Va Beach)  that made this happen. Also,  we need to remember that the real heroes are not GW and Obama, but the men and women who risk their lives everyday so that we can be free.


for your listening pleasure

Proud to be an American, just like always.

HB

Never Forget

For me as a social media addict, it is really depressing today to see that today on Twitter that #Neverforget is trending and anyone and everyone from Wiz to all the other GDIs on twitter have no clue what it means. NEVER FORGET isn't just a phrase to help you forget about something bad that has happened in your life. NEVER FORGET is for the Hokie Nation. If you aren't a Hokie this probably doesn't resonate at all with you, but to a Hokie this phrase means more than the world. A Hokie isn't a turkey, or a bird at all for that matter. Being a Hokie is a state of mind and a state of pride. Being a Hokie means Ut Prosim. Being a Hokie means being proud and representing your school no matter torrential downpour or shine. It means whether wind tunnel or perfect day, you walk across the drillfield and soak in its beauty and magesticness. It means wearing maroon and orange everyday, whether it be your shirt or the sticker on your car. To be a Hokie is to say excuse me to a complete stranger or hold a door open for someone you don't know because you know that you all have a special and irreplaceable bond that very few will ever experience. Four years ago today, The Hokie Nation lost 32 amazing members of our Nation and you better be damn sure that they will never be forgotten. Even as a Hokie that was not here when this sad massacre happened, I still have so much pain inside of me. But that is what happens when your'e a Hokie. The second you become a part of our tight knit community you will never be the same. We are your home away from home. Your home tucked in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Your home and family that you will always have with you sea to shining sea. The Hokie Nation is a sense of pride and love. From the Cassel Collesium to Lane Stadium, English field to the Veterinarian school. From Burruss Hall to Torgeson Hall to the Graduate life Center, once you step on the Campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, your life will never be the same. You will never go to another school and feel such love and unity. So today  I ask you be a Hokie and live for the 32, because you damn well know that us Hokies always do.

Didn't see that curveball coming.

Okay so after my fun filled weekend/ recovery from my fun filled weekend, I decided that you all deserved a new post. Im so nice, I know. Honestly yall the events from the past week have literally blown my mind. From Schwartzel winning the Masters, which no one saw coming (Although I am not complaining what so ever because he is definitely not sore on the eyes) Personally I was rooting for a Tiger comeback but oh well.  Then there's the mind blowing conversations you have with unexpected people, and they share that you are not insane, in fact you are in the right and that the other person in said situation is acting retarded. Why is it that boys literally need to get slapped in the face to realize they are acting like they are 5 years old still chillin' in the sand box at recess. Heres a novel idea, be a man and tell a girl how you really feel instead of being an ass. I know, it sounds crazy right? I crack myself up. But enough of that, my weekend was filled with community service, philanthropy (which we won, sorry to the haters who thought it would be better for "fraternity relations" if we didn't win, and yes I'm talking about you) and Formals. What a weekend! As the semester draws to a close, and the weather gets warmer (Although Blacksburg's weather is being so bipolar I might get whiplash) my work ethic is slowly going down the drain. But with that said, it also means formals galore for this sorostitute. Who doesn't love procrastinating by painting a cooler?



 Here’s my philosophy on dating. It’s important to have somebody that can make you laugh, somebody you can trust, somebody that, y’know, turns you on… And it’s really, really important that these three people don’t know each other.- my advice until my next post!




HBill