Nashvile, TN -----> Marion, IA

Hello everyone,

I'm sorry that I have not updated you all for such a long time. It's official, I'm back in Iowa. I've been home a little over a week, and it's hard to feel like I'm home at all. As much as I enjoy spending a little time with my family, "home is where your heart is", right?
 Last Tuesday afternoon I finished my last final. I packed all I could fit into my mom's van (driven by my uncle Ed and aunt Shelby), and sat slept in the car for 12 hours, and I made it home around midnight. Here I was, thinking I didn't leave anything important behind, but I've seem to have left a large portion of my heart.
Who knew I could fall in love with a place that I took for granted the whole first semester of college?

This year has been fantastic. I know some of you are reading this and thinking about the times I've called you complained, but that's not the case.

What I see when I walk out of the lobby everyday

It's true, there are times where I felt really small in the big 'ol city of Nashville. There were times when I really just needed friends who knew me better than I knew myself. When I first arrived at college, I thought that's what I'd quickly find, but that's not what I was in store for at all.

What did I find my first year of college?

I found a place where no matter the weather when I woke up (picture it at least 15 degrees hotter than Iowa at all times), I felt blessed at my view when I walked out the front door to my building.

I found a dorm building that ended up being a family to me. We made family dinners, teased each other about dates, spent countless hours watching How I Met Your Mother in the lobby, celebrating dozens of birthdays, helped each other study for tests, jammed out on our porch, and even spent a few nights dressed up in costumes or all classy together.






In addition to my amazing dorm, I found myself placed on a hall with some amazing women. The 2nd floor was seriously fantastic. We were the only girls in the building, but we held our own. I don't think there could of been another hall in Belmont that had more love than we did. I woke up countless mornings to find notes on my door. All I had to do was tweet that I was craving chocolate, and someone would arrive within minutes to save the day. We bonded over "sleep"overs in the hallway, heart to hearts and life stories shared during our weekly bible study, and all of our mutual love for food. We sang in the shower, had garbage can races down the hall, made silly dancing and lip syncing videos, and more. To top it off we even had our own "sorority" with secret sisters and meetings. It was truly a blessing getting to know all of these amazing girls.

I found that it wasn't always easy living with someone so different from you, but it is definitely worth it. I found a roommate that taught me a lot about music and life. If it wasn't for Megan I would not have known what "shipping" was, or "feels". I learned about many bands that I'm now pretty hooked on, such as Marianas Trench, This is All Now, and The Summer Set. Because of Megan I've been to Waffle Houses, and learned the art of putting on makeup in the dark. Lastly, I learned the importance of sleep, because if it wasn't for Megan and her sleeping needs, I would of slept way less in college.

The group that went cliff jumping!

I found a lot of adventure. I think you all know how much I love adventure! Within the first few weeks of school I went rock climbing for the first time. I also took a trip with my lovely dorm and went cliff jumping. 60 or 65 feet! (I can't remember exactly.) I went to a concert at 4am on a a whim with a friend, I witnessed a dance off between two guys at 2am in a waffle house. I grabbed my pepper spray and learned how to use the public busing system, and  I got in one of my school's fountains for a victory lap after playing a all-nighter fusball tournament with my friend Kelly. Lastly, I hit up a few parties (as the sober one), got familiar calling cabs, and babysat a few silly drunks along the way.

I found some amazing friends. It took me a little while to stop comparing them to my amazing IA friends, but once I did, I realized how amazing they were! We took shopping adventures, studied together, went of coffee dates, vented about life, had dance parties, had movie nights, went to basketball games, traveled with each other on spring break, and most of all laughed and loved a lot.





I found more music than I even thought I would! Being in Nashville I obviously expected a lot of music, but I got more music than I could of even imagined. Belmont is probably the one school in that you can look up the majority of the student body on itunes and Spotify. I became a fangirl of a few of my classmate's bands like "Judah and the Lion", "Marshall Cunningham", and "Mignon Grabois".  So not only was I blessed enough to be surrounded by all of my talented classmates, but I tried to make it to a few "celeb" concerts as well. I hit up a live Reba concert at 4am, went to see my RA open for GRO (Green River Ordinance) and met them. I also went to a Jocelyn house show due to my roommates persuasion, and an Augustana acoustic show that changed my life. They even filmed an episode of the show "Nashville" on my campus where the guy who plays "Avery" performed live in the middle of our lawn.

The girls I went to church with every week

I found myself getting closer to God and growing in my faith. Somewhere between my christian campus, the hundreds of kind people who's faith beamed out of them like the sun, my understanding the bible class, my floor's bible study, church hopping, and finally finding the church I attend now- I can honestly say God is very present in my life. My church is Ethos. I attend with a group of amazing people, sing some moving songs, and am surrounded by some pretty amazing people. Even now that I'm home, I started listening to my church's podcast, so I don't miss any of the great sermons.


On top of all of this stuff, I found:
-A love for line dancing
-A fashion sense
- A love for baking/cooking
-A love for "Cupcake Collection" cupcakes
- Respect for Circle K runs at 2am
- A love of Waffle Houses
- Slight (and I mean slight) understanding of how Nashville roads work
- A love for pretty much ALL of the food you can get in Nashville (Burger Up, Las Palentas, Chagos)
- Respect for home-cooked meals
-Love for people who accept you as family even though you're not blood related
-Some amazing teachers who are also great people.
- A LOVE for getting mail / packages and checking my mail box.

I found a whole new world at Belmont in Nashville this year, and I can't wait to see what other things I learn and what other treasures I find in my next 3 years at Belmont. Thank you all for coming along for the ride with me. You're all amazing.

Here's to a great school year and an amazing summer!

- - - - Homestretch - - -

Hey Y'all!

I'm sorry for all of you who keep checking back here in hopes I've posted something about my super adventurous and lovely life in the south.

I've been studying like crazy and trying to LIVE life and cherish my time here.
I had my last day of classes today for my freshmen year of college. How weird is that? I am truly blessed to have met all the amazing people that I did this year. My dorm (Hail Hall) is seriously a home away from home and I love how close we are and how we're seriously become like a family.

I can't spend time writing this, because it's already 1am and I've still got studying to do. I just wanted to check in and let you all know that I'm doing just fine. I'm stressing hardcore for finals - so if you'r the praying time I could use some of them sent my way! If not, cross your fingers for me!

I'm loving life right now, it's just bittersweet having to leave soon to go back to Iowa. Nashville has become quite the home and I love it here. I don't know what it is, but Nashville just gives off a great vibe. I hope you all get to experience it sometime.


I'll have Facebook back in a week and then y'all can stalk me as much as your little (or big) hearts desire.


Sending my love <3

P.S Feel free to send me encouraging text messages this week/ early next week to get me through finals. I'll need them!

Little update

Hey Y'all!

Can you believe that my first year of college is starting to wind down? It's crazy right? I can not even believe it! 

YKYACKW: You wake up an hour early to work on homework, and end up just taking an extra long time getting ready/ doing your hair, ect. 

YKYACKW: Saltines and oatmeal are a basic part of your diet.

Okay so this week:

Rain cloud of this past week: I've been super nauseous  I don't know what my problem is, but it's not stopping. I've tried saltines and ginger ale and nothing seems to be working.

 This all started on Wednesday this last week, and if it's not better by this Wednesday I'm going to hit up the doctors office.

Sunshine: I am auditioning for the Vanderbilt Color guard next Saturday! Wish me luck. I'm really excited about it!

Update!

Goodness gracious! I am so sorry Y'all! Who knew how crazy college life could get ;)

It's been two weeks since Spring Break, and let me tell ya, those two weeks were hectic! First off, my friends came to visit! It was their spring breaks! Let me tell you, if I had a tail I would of wagged it! Stephanie Shinrock, Bailey Bacon, and Colin Peters (some of my closest high school friends) road-tripped it down to Nashville to spend the entire week hanging out with me! They were here Monday-Friday. We had a lovely time going out to all my favorite restaurants  walking around campus, going to Sweet Cece's, and of course line dancing!  I tried to give them a little taste of the best of Nashville. I'm pretty sure at every meal Stephanie said "This is the best food i've ever eaten!" I really just enjoyed getting to have my favorite people in my favorite city. My favorite moments probably included their last night here and the night we went to Wildhorse.

Wildhorse is the linedancing place that also serves some pretty mean fried pickles and things. Watching Colin attempt to line dance was rather enjoyable. Stephanie spent 45 minutes in the bathroom, because the bathroom had an attendent, and was filled with about 20 different scents of soup, body spray, and lotion. She came out glowing and smelling delishious. Another upside to this night, is just how much I love dancing. I LOVE IT.

Bailey, Colin, and Steph's last night in Nashville (Thursday night), we went out to dinner. This was awesome, because Kelly, my best friend at college (and roomie next year) came with us. It was fantastic to see how well they all got along and it was my favorite people from Iowa and Tennessee coming together!
After dinner, I went back to the hotel and stayed with them. Steph and I gave Colin a makeover that we were supposed to keep a secret. . . whoops. Don't tell him I told y'all! We straightened his hair and somehow convinced him to let us put makeup on him. We stayed up quite a bit that night, just laying and talking. It was really bitter sweet, because I really love those guys.

A lot of people in college, kinda leave their high school friends for their college friends. To be completely honest, I thought I was going to be doing that. However, I realized pretty quickly, that was not going to happen. I take for granted how amazing some of the people I knew growing up were. God blessed me with an amazing family (extended and immediate) and amazing friends as well. Everyone says you meet your bridesmaids in college. Well, that might be true. But I know that there are some friends from elementary school - high school that are going to be standing next to them.

Anyway, continuing on with my update.
My mom, Chad, and Clarissa came to visit too!
They arrived Friday night! Unfortunately, they only stayed until Tuesday morning, but it was still fantastic! I also made them go to Wild Horse (I told you I love dancing. . . ), Clarissa experienced her first night in a dorm, and my fridge is fuller than it's ever been. Having them here was amazing too. Sometimes you just need your mom, ya know?

So overall, this last week was crazy hectic. It took me all week just to try and catch up with all the things I didn't get done while hanging out with them! Don't get me wrong though, it was worth it. I've just got A LOT to do this week, and it's going to just get crazy again for all of April.

Oh! Another thing I don't think y'all know about. I'm double majoring! I've added a social work major. This is kinda crazy, because it means I'll be graduating with two degrees, a BBA and a BSW. I have to take a few summer classes, but I should be able to graduate in 4 years still. (Here's hoping.)
I'm really excited to be able to help people!

Lastly, I'll share some pictures with you. I've got to wrap this up, because like I mentioned above, I'm getting up early for sunrise and homework!

Sending my love <3

Their first night here at Burger Up!

We can't take Steph anywhere! She broke her class and in the process her "house sauce" splattered into her hair!

Steph, Bay, and Colin experiencing life at Belmont! (Everyone and their roomie is in a band.)

Steph and I <3 

I was not supposed to take pictures or show anyone. . . but I am just SO PROUD of the makeup job I did <3 

Steph and I

Colin, Bailey, Steph, Me, and Kelly. Some of my favorite people from home, and my favorite Belmont friend! :)

P.S Steph, Bailey, and my Mom took way more pictures than I did. . . This means I'll get pics from them and then share!

Just a little notes. . .

Hey Friends and Family!
So sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've found myself to be CRAZY busy.
Let me start off with this:
YKYACKW: You don't do any of your homework over break, so the first week back you want to smash your head into a wall everyday. 

So, in case that doesn't cover my week. . . ^^

In all honesty though, I will never do that again! I will make sure I work my little tush off over breaks, to make sure I don't get extra far behind during the week after break. Also, while I'm on this little rant, I'd like to point out how cruel and unfair it is for teachers to assign so much homework over the week of break! I know for sure my test on Tuesday after spring break did not go well . . .

The other things I'd like to address are the following:

1) I am officially a double major. I declared my double major this last week. What is it? Social Work.
So, I'm a little nervous, because that's a completely different degree I'm working for. This means, when I graduate, I'll have a BBA in Music Business and a BSW in Social Work.
Wish me luck!

2) I finish my freshmen year of college in 7 weeks! Holy poop! I seriously can't even imagine that it's been this long already. They don't lie when they say time goes by quicker and quicker they older that you get. Let's be honest, scares the shit out of me.

Lastly, I'd like to leave you with a list of a few things I've really taken for granted, but have grown to appreciate in college:
- Flip Flops
-Hand Sanitizer
- Lamps
-Meals baked in an oven
-Apples that are crisp and crunch when you take a bite
- Chapstick
-My Friends/Family
-Getting Mail


Okay, enough for now, I'll update you all on my life later!

xoxo Cait

Acting like a Tourist

Had lunch at the Hard Rock in Myrtle Beach

Jellybean Castle!

HUGE blowpops

Miranda and a HUGE blowpop

Today I did some cliche Myrtle Beach tourist type things. We went to HardRock for lunch. Visited House of Blues and Planet Hollywood. We also walked the boardwalk and went downtown to broadway. AKA all the tourist places.
Then tonight Miranda and I made homemade chicken stir fry by ourselves and then caramel cupcakes with cream cheese cinnamon frosting! Delish!
 It was a pretty good day :)

South Carolina/ Spring Break

Here are just a few pictures I've taken so far while being in South Carolina!

In the mountains on the way to South Carolina 

Rocky mountains on the way to South Carolina 

Driving way too early on our way to South Carolina

snow in the mountains 

Miranda 

Sunset in South Carolina 

It's a little bit sunnier today! 55 degrees

On the beach. . . 

Just relaxing on the beach 

jump!

Miranda and I 

Enjoying South Carolina so far, though I wish it was a bit warmer!