The Dome Away from Home

It is with great pride (and almost uncontrollable excitement) that I can announce to you, dear reader, the result of many months of researching, writing, checking and double-checking, mailman-hunting, and general hard work: my college decision.

I am thrilled to tell you that I will be attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall! GO IRISH!

I am confident that joining the ranks of the Fighting Irish is going to prove to be one of my best decisions ever. I'm so happy to continue my education at a school with such a rich feeling of tradition, scholarship, and community. Not many people can say that they're going to their dream school, and I count myself incredibly fortunate in that regard.

On a rather humorous note, I'm already handsomely outfitted with a variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants from the Hammes Bookstore, but just for good measure, various members of my family have gifted me with car magnets, flags, flip-flops, and socks. Were I to layer all the Notre Dame clothes I have (and keep in mind I haven't even started there yet) I would be wearing approximately nine layers.

I can't wait to arrive in South Bend, Indiana in....approximately 81 days! I'm looking forward to a few weeks of summer vacation, but beyond that I'm jazzed for football weekends, trips to the Grotto, walking around St. Mary's Lake and St. Joseph's Lake, trudging through the snow to class, studying in the Hesburgh Library, chilling out in LaFortune Student Center, and just living life as a Notre Dame student.

My future home

I would love to continue my blogging at Notre Dame as a Delco emissary (if you will have me, Mr. Heron). But! In the meantime, I still have 12 days of high school to finish and plenty of other exciting stuff in the meantime! Stay tuned, folks.

Senior Prom!

Here is an abbreviated list of things that one cannot do well while wearing acrylic nail tips: one cannot button shirts, zip zippers, scratch itches, pick up small, thin objects like bobby pins, braid hair, flip the volume switch on the iPhone, open lobster clasps, or put one's fingers remotely close to one's eyes. I now know from experience, because I got acrylic nail tips for my senior prom. I mean, sure, my nails looked quite spiffy, but I haven't been able to use my fingers in any delicate capacity since Wednesday. When I complained to my brother about this, he reminded me that "beauty is pain." Wise fool, indeed.

But despite the acrylic nails (and the teetering high heels, and the necklace that was kind of chokey, and the 57 - I counted - bobby pins used to hold my elaborate hairdo in place), I had a blast at prom!  I got to wear a very pretty dress, and I got  gorgeous flowers from my good friend and prom date, Jim, and I  hung out with my friends, and I danced even though I have two left feet, and there was an ice cream bar! Major thumbs-up to the O'Hara faculty, the senior prom committee, and the Drexelbrook for making it a night to remember fondly.

Me, pre-prom

On another subject, today is, obviously, Mother's Day. There's not really much to say except that I have the best mom ever and I'm glad to celebrate her today! (Safe to say that hosting 40 people for a "picture party" before prom wouldn't have happened without her. Of course, that's not the only reason I like her. She's a really good cook, too.) So, happy Mother's Day! Especially to my mom!

Oh, and one last thing. This is a shout-out to my wonderful, awesome, crazily smart friend Caitlin, because she wanted one! Hey, Caitlin!

An Update

Things have just been a bit crazy (in the best possible way) in the last month or so, between Pippin and Easter break and school and everything. I haven't updated my blog as much as I wanted to, but I have a lot coming up so expect frequent updates! Here's the nuts-and-bolts of  what I've been up to (and have coming up).

This weekend was the official start of....Graduation Party Season. It's kind of like the debutante season without the fancy gowns and with a lot more cake. I attended three lovely graduation parties, and have have received approximately 22 more invitations. I shall valiantly try to attend them all!

Today was a graduation of sorts. Here's the story: In eighth grade, I won one of 50 Neumann Scholarships, a four-year full academic scholarship from the Connelly Foundation. Way back then, there was a lovely induction ceremony to welcome the new class of 2012. Today, we all came back together to celebrate with a Mass and a reception before we all part ways for college and beyond. I had the honor of giving a reflection speech during the Mass. I spoke about how important being a Neumann Scholar has been in my life - really important - which was awesome. And I met up with some old friends from Notre Dame Summer Scholars there, too! I missed those rascals. 

This week is (sigh) AP Exam week. I have four exams for my Advanced Placement classes in chemistry, psychology, calculus, and English literature. Sitting for AP Exams is kind of like sitting for the SATs several days in a row - and equally tiring. They're a necessary evil, though. If I get good marks, I might be able to earn college credit! Hooray for more electives and free time in college!

And as a reward for my hard-fought week of exams, I have my senior prom on Friday!! Expect pictures. 

Also, I graduate one month from today. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!