YAY Blogging!!

Yay! It's my turn to blog! Woo!

So, I'm going home in 3 days and I honestly can't be more excited. I really can't wait to see my family, friends, and my amazing boyfriend. Although I miss them, once I get home to Apex, I'm totally gonna miss Cullowhee. I'll miss my room, my friends up here and most of all... the freedom. That's the biggie.. Living at home with my overprotective mom again will more than likely drive me crazy.. Last time I went home, she called me so often, wanting to know when I'll be home, and all I could say was "When I come home!"

I'm so excited to see my boyfriend and all of my highschool friends (wow, that makes me feel old...) We've made so many exciting plans I absolutely can't wait!

The only thing I'm not totally gung-ho excited about is going to Alabama to visit my relatives... I mean I love my family and I haven't seen my cousins in ages, but we're driving down there and staying for the whole week of Christmas. I honestly just want to be home in my own bed... But hey I think I'm getting a new iTouch for Christmas!! I'll just play with that the whole time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

~Jamie Cox
(Holly's Class)

LAST WEEK

In ways I am so excited this week is here and then others I'm not. I get to go home in two days and I can't wait. I'm so ready to be home and see everyone. I love being home, that is one reason I am transferring back home. I also am so excited about Christmas. I love everything about this holiday and everyone is usually in such a good mood and I get to see my whole family. It is just all wonderful to me.
However this is probably one of the most stressful weeks. I didn't know what to expect this week with exams and everything. I didn't know how hard they were going to be and how much I should study. I just had my fist exam and realized I probably studied WAY TO MUCH. I study for just my chemistry exam all weekend, not lying either. I barely did anything else the whole weekend. I study so much that I felt like I forgot everything. I was so stressed out about it, which I am still stressed out about my other exams I have. Wednesday I am taking my hardest exam for this semester and I don't feel ready at all even though I have done well in the class. I hope everyone does well on their exams and doesn't stress out as much as me, it really doesn't do you well.
Seeing that I am not coming back up here next semester I am definitely going to miss so many people. I have gotten a lot closer to some people these past few weeks and I hate that I am not going to see them much again. Before I made the decision to leave I had not met many people at all and all I wanted to do is go home and be with my friends. However after my decision I started to get to know more people and like I said have gotten closer to several people. It stinks that I will not be able to get closer to them but I will come visit.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

exams

Sooo I was up until three in the morning studying for my geology exam that I know I am going to fail because i have no interest in sedimentary rocks WHAT SO EVER. I cannot wait to go home and chilll! A whole month, its going to be awesome. my boyfriend is asleep on the chair next to me..sooo cute! i really dont know what else to say. What does everyone want for christmas?

Ashley Kerr

Stressful Week and DayQuil-Nichole Hutchins

Exams are next week! It seems like all of my professors waited until the end of the semester to give all the major assignments. It has been pretty stressful. I can't wait until christmas break, it will be nice to have a break and to go back to work to make some money for next semester. I am tired of being broke. Everyone, including myself, has been getting sick here lately. I drank a lot of DayQuil and now I am feeling a little loopy.

Should have listened to my parents...(Brittany LeSieur...Holly' Class)

A few weeks ago I had breakfast with my parents and told them that I was going to go fishing with Mike after. They told me to go get myself a fishing permit and I just laughed it off and told them that I was not going to fish in the freshwater, I only fish at the beach, plus Mike only had one rod. Well I should have listened because after searching for a good spot for a while we ended up at the Dillsboro Dam. We had been there like thirty minutes or an hour when a car rolled up. I did not think anything of it since a few other people were fishing near by, I thought it was just another fisherman. Well when he stepped out my heart drop. It was a wildlife officer... He told me that they had seen me toss the line, which I admit I did toss the line because of my competitive nature(I wnated to see if I could beat Mike). He came up to us and asked to see our permits. Mike had one since he lived at the ocean and went fishing frequently. Well he got off and I had a $156 dollar fine for not having one on me...
But i got my permit and went to court and it was taken car of no cost1!!

All going by so fast...

Hey girls, this is Stephanie Deese from Holly's class.

Is it just me or did this semester really fly by? 

I know it was just 15 weeks but it felt more like 5.

So many things are changing. 

We are growing up, trying to figure out our careers, managing a social life, money, grades, deciding wether or not to go greek, picking what to wear, finding the parties, having to deal with boys and all of the other pressures. Believe it or not I love it, I'm having a blast with it all. 

I think these experiences will truly last a life time. 

Lets make the best of it girls !

exams,snow and heading home

i cant believe the semester is almost over. just one more week until we are into exams well acctually just 4 more days. but its kind of exciting to think that we have made it through our first semester in one piece! well most of us. its even exciting that its snowing outside i moved to north carolina 4 years ago from up north and i have to say i never realized how much i really acctually missed the snow! but sometime next week we will all be heading out for long tests and tough exams studing will be in full force and passing will be our main goals. teachers will scare us into thinking its almost impossible to pass their exams but in the end we all hope to come out with at least a C! then its back home...im not sure about some of you but i know going home isnt the same for me as it used to be. Im not the same person i was a few months ago when i started up at school. I thought i would never change from the girl i had become but i was wrong...and im happy that i was wrong im excited that ive changed ive become a stronger person and realized that there were many things that i could do and accomplish that i never thought i would be able to do. But it still makes me sad to think that i feel like nothing more then a guest in my own house, that my parents have kind of started to use my room a a storage place things are always turning up when i least exspect it and i can see less and less of my floor now. my brother and sister also think that my room is theres and they can just walk in and take what ever they want when ever they want like its not longer my stuff, it tends to be annoyng after a while, you feel like hey i still live her just not all the time! and has anyone slipped up and said ill call u when i get back home? home meaning school and ur parents look at you funny? we spend 99% of our time up here now what do they expect? we tend to forget that even though we go away to school life at home doesnt stand still until we return it keeps going on and adjustes to us not being there. Well i hope that everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! and gets the most out of their christmas brake and are ready to come back and make some more memories come january!!
*kelli mann (hollys class)

Western Carolina vs. App State...

So, I'm gonna talk about the Western-App game that was on Saturday. It was absolutely crazy! It was super crowded, not to mention people were belligerent drunk! Usually, I do not have a problem with people at the games drinking or being drunk around me(thats part of the fun) but saturday was just a mess! Me, my boyfriend, and a group of about 10 of our friends sat down in the "Greek" section, and we went through like 30 to 45 mins of the game with no problems. But then a bunch of drunken greeks show up trying to just start fights with people in our group including my boyfriend. Usually I have no problems with people in sororities or fraternaties, but saturday they went too far. They demanded that we move, but with a stadium full of people, where were we supposed to go? We had been there the whole game and in the 3rd quarter they were gonna tell us to move? Yeah, not gonna happen. Then there was a group of 5 guys who had PAID for their ticket sitting beside us, I believe one was even an alumni and they demanded that they move! One of the guys got really upset and even left the stadium following out a couple of the greeks that were trying to fight..I dont know what happened, if they ended up fighting or not. I just think it was really ridiculous that people are so stupid to be ruining the game for me and my friends and everyone else around them. I just think we were all there to enjoy the game, it really sucks that we couldn't because of a few greeks we decided to ruin our day.

-ELLIE SCOGGINS(Holly Taylor's Class)
P.S. Today is my roomies birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!!!

Change

I just realized that today is November 17th and in less than a month I'll be home for Christmas Break. I cannot believe that my first semester of college is coming to a close. In the beginning of the class we had to write about "The Girl I Was" and of course I wrote about things that happened in high school, and how I was. I mentioned in my essay about how most of my older friends said things would change, and boy were they right! I came here thinking I would stick to the same people I've known all my life from back home, and we'd always be great friends. Unfortunately distance sucks, and I don't feel as close to some of the people I once was best friends with. Although I've managed to keep in contact with several of my friends from back home, I feel as if I am growing apart from them. I've met a lot of new people up here at WCU and living with them, I consider them a really significant part of my life. I feel closer to some of the people here than people I went four years of high school with. I think maybe because I live with these people and we spend a huge part of our time together.
I think going home over Christmas break is going to be really difficult. I'm worried that relationships with my friends as well as my family have changed within the past few months. I remember my Junior year in high school my Psychology teacher told us that once we moved away from home, coming back would be difficult. I didn't believe her because I thought "home" would always be home. I completely understand what she meant now. I feel as if Cullowhee is my new home. I live here now. The last time I left my house, I told mom that I would call her when I got home, and she looked really serious and said "Emily, isn't this your home?" Part of her was truly joking, yet the other part seemed sad because I've gone off to do different things. I think she was expecting me to be like my sister and stay home all of her life. That is what makes my sister and I two totally different people. She is completely content staying in Lenoir, North Carolina being married and having a family. She is happy. There's no way I could be content in that situation. I want to go places, see things, that's why I am here now. I am loving the experiences I am having here at Western and I look forward to what is to come.

Emily R (Holly's Class)

A late ride home...

Hey guys i was supposed to blog last wednesday the 5th but i totally forgot ive been so busy with school work.  Well let me get started. So last friday i was going to charlotte for the weekend and i was giving my roommate chloe a ride and i said "we are leaving at 1pm" so i come back to the room after my classes and i am all packed and ready to go and chloe was just sitting there eating and watching tv. so i am like "okay lets go" and she is like "well let me wash my dishes and finish this show and finish packing then we can go" so i was like "alllllright". so we finally get down to the car and she gets in and is like "well if you want gas money we are going to have to drive over to the uc because i need to use the atm." so i was like "alllright" and like a week ago i was like "can i have 20 bucks" and she was like "i only have 15" so i was like "okay thats fine" so we go over there and she took out 40$ and was putting it in her purse. so i was like "can i have the gas money?" and she was like "i need change we can wait until we stop and get food" and i was like "you just ate i dont want to stop" so she was like "well i need change you dont have a 10?" and i did so i gave it to her and she gave me the 20. what the hell?!!!?! so we didnt leave on time an hour late.  i was so f-ing pissed. i mean first you cant be ready on time then the whole money thing! is it so fucking hard to give me half the gas money if two people are driving and i am giving her a ride there and back. and if you are going to give me some money then can you please go to the atm before we are on our way out. i mean you have zero classes on fridays is it that hard. I know thats a little harsh but she is like that all the time i love her but the whole situation just made me a little mad. gahh

-Kelly D ( Holly Taylors class)

The time of our lives... or lack there of.

Growing up we were told college was going to be fun. It is supposed to be the time of our lives but so far my time here has been total opposite. At the beginning of the semester I got really sick. When I went to see a doctor they told me I had Mono. He wrote me out of class and physical activities for three weeks. Two weeks later I was feeling worse so I returned to the doctor. That is when I found out that I had Bronchitis on top of Mono. I finally started feeling better and returned to class for a week only to have something else happen. The next monday morning my grandpa was involved in a car accident. I immediately left for home. I came back to campus that Thursday but then left for home again friday afternoon. I got back monday evening. For me this has been a hell of a semester, from being sick and my grandpas accident to dropping classes and trying to catch back up in the other classes. I thought this was supposed to be fun but I'm not having a good time. Hopefully next semester will be better.

~Stephanie
~Lauras Class MW 5:00

Hey girls! Sorry it's late I was supposed to blog last Monday but I totally forgot! So anyways I had to really think what I wanted to blog about. There are so many different things going on in our lives right now it's hard to choose just one. I have come to know life as one big crazy roller coaster. Sometimes your up high at the top loving everything about life and sometimes your way down at the bottom hating everything about yourself. It's weird but one day I'm the happiest person ever and other days I just want to go to bed. I don't know if this is how everyone else feels or if I'm just weird? One day I can get ready, look in the mirror, and think I look great. The next day I will get ready, look in the mirror, and hate everything about myself. Somedays I feel like I have so many friends to call to go eat or watch a movie. Then the next day I feel so lonely. Sometimes I love Western and could not picture myself being anywhere else. Other times I just want to go home. I just want to be happy all the time. We all have things going on in our lives that make us sad or upset but I know these problems look petty and stupid compared to bigger things going on in the world. I have realized when these bad days come around I always have my best friends to lean on. The girls I know I could never live without. College may have separated us but I know we will stay friends forever. Plus I am making tons of new friends here to confide in which is awesome!

Danielle (Hollys Class)

Boys, boys, boys...

Boys, can't live with them, can't live without them. Well ain't that true. When I came to Western I had just gotten out of a 3 year relationship that ended real bad. The relationship started really well, we weren't just boyfriend and girlfriend, we were also best friends. We were together but he was allowed to do his thing and I was allowed to do mine and we trusted eachother. We knew we wouldn't do anything to out the relationship in jeapordy, or so I thought. He took my trust for him for granted and ended up cheating on me. I was emotionally distraught. But he was my first love, or so what I thought "love" was. So we talked, and cried, and after endless phone calls, apologies, and flowers, I took him back. Well once a cheater, always a cheater. I got cheated on not once, but twice now. And this time was even worse. We were already having troubles with me still being in high school and him being 2 hours away at Appalachain State. Everynight was a fight and I would call my best friend Allie everynight crying about what problem I was having and she would cope with me and make everything okay. I confided in her and she always knew what to say to make me feel better. Well little did I know that Allie, my so called best friend, had beed text sexing with my boyfriend for the past month and had planned on going to see him that weekend. I had no idea, she just told me she was going to ASU for the weekend. I didn't think anything of it. Well come Monday at school I find out that she had hooked up with him, not only hooked up with him but I also found out that they had been "talking" for over a month. At this point I wasn't even upset, I was PISSED. And let me tell you I told the both of them everything I thought about them. And let me tell you I am not a fighter, but there were fights. With both him and her. I went psycho. And you know, I never really did cry about it. I was better than that, I didn't need people like that in my life. Still to this day my ex-boyfriend calls me just about everynight, and I used to answer. But i'm over it now. I don't need his apologies. I don't need him. I thought I would never trust another guy again. And I didn't for a long time. But I can't let that hold me back. I'm in college now, and I need to have my fun. I'm not going to let my past experiences hold me back from letting a good guy pass me by now. I learned to let my guard down, and i've realized that not every guy is an asshole.

Kristina Culmer (Holly's Class MW 12:20)

Family weekend and not feeling homesick

This weekend as i'm sure all of you know was family weekend. My parents were able to come up and we had a lot of fun. We went to the game and out to eat Saturday and then we went on the rafting trip with Base Camp on Sunday. This is when I really got to thinking about how much I don't miss being home. I love my family and I do miss them I swear. It's just time for me to become who I am going to be the rest of my life. I'm from Charlotte and I didn't realize how different my life is because of it. Most of my friends that I have made here at WCU are from small rural towns that I have never heard of. In Charlotte i'm a statistic, another face in the crowd. I want to go somewhere where I can be somebody and make something of myself and i just dont see that happening in Charlotte.

On a lighter note when my parents came up for family weekend they brought me four of my guppies so now i have fish...i love fish. They always seem so happy and bubbly, i wish i could be like that all the time.

Jessica Burkley BOF MW 5-6 scott blue

Hard times in the Whee...

Okay, so, I know I was supposed to blog like a million and a half years ago... but I just kept forgetting. Sorry guys... but here I am now, lol. Okay, so, lately, I've been having a really tough time. Thing 1: My dad and I got in a big fight over fall break within ten minutes of me walking in the door and I didn't even really want to stay there. I pretty much stayed at friend's houses the whole time. Thing 2: My mom is my best friend... but I haven't seen her in months. After I came up here she moved in with her sister in Iowa and I don't know when I'll get to see her again... I don't know if I'm going to have enough money to buy a plane ticket to go see her over winter break. I just got a job at Bogarts up the street so hopefully that'll cover it. I was talking to her on the phone last night and when I hung up I just burst into tears. I felt like a damn idiot because I was with some friends and I just walked away crying. I can't stand not being around her. She the one person who understands me more than anyone in this entire world. I feel so lost without her sometimes... :(( I miss my sister too. She goes to Brevard College like an hour away and I haven't seen her since I saw my mom last. Family means the world to me. My first tatoo is for them [and my grandmother]. Thing 3: One of my mom's friends has AIDS and I don't know how long he's gonna be around. He doesn't exactly live the best life and he doesn't really take care of himself like he should... He just got out of the hospital because he has pnemonia in one of his lungs. I really would love to talk to him and see how he's doing... but every time I even try to talk about it like with my mom or something, I can't help but start crying. I'm afraid that if I do talk to him, I'm just gonna bust out uncontrollably. He moved back to where he grew up in Ohio so it's not like I can just go see him. He's 36 years old and has AIDS. I don't know... sometimes I feel like I just need to suck it up and deal... but then I remember that I'm a girl... and we don't exactly know how to do that, lol. Anyway... I just had to vent. Sorry it took me so damn long to blog. :D

Amber Shipp [Holly's class]

Ok so i know i have already posted my blog and today is not my day nd everything but i needed to post one anyways to just get everything off my chest. I found out today that one of my friends from back home died tonight. his name was greer yorke and we had gone to school together since middle school. He was an amazing athlete and was extremely smart. Over this weekend he went up to Sewanne, he was hiking with his friends when he fell off of a cliff. He shattered his C1 vertebrae and was in a coma. tonight they took him off life support and he passed away. It is awful that someone can pass away by doing something innocent and just being with friends. I feel so bad for his family and I am keeping them in my prayers. It is so sad that his life was taken so young, im still in such shock i dont understand why such great people have to be taken from this world. I dont think it is fair at all. He and I werent best friends but he was still someone i would talk to everyday, it is going to be different without him here in my life but I know that he is now in heaven and is looking down on everyone.

catherine miller (holly's class)

Hey Everyone!
I can't believe that my first semester of college is almost over. Everything is starting to pile on. I have so many things due between now and December, it's crazy. And I am the biggest procrastinator so college is starting to stress me out. Also registration is starting so thats one more thing I have to worry about. If anyone has any tip on time management, it would help a lot.



Megan (Holly's Class)

hey girls,
I hope everthing is going good for everyone now that we are back from our break. I wasn't sure what to blog about but then I thought than it was getting close to elections time and since this is the most contriversal elections ever I thought it would be cool to see what everyones comments were and there ideas were. At the begining of the election I wanted to vote for Hilary Clinton I think that a women could really do our country some good and I agree with all of her views. Clearly I cannot vote for my girl Hilary and I have been bouncing back and forth trying to decide who would be the best man for the job. Honestly I think Mccain is going to croke any minute but he has a great running mate but i would really like to see a democrate in office but I dont totally agree with Obama's views for taxes and abortion but on the other hand it would be great to see a person of color be president in my life time. What are your comments that could help me with my vote.

Kennedy Osborne

Home Sickness (Megan; Laura's Class MW 5-6)

Hey everyone, sorry this late. I was supposed to blog on the 8th for Laura's class but the rush of fall break kind of distracted me.

Is it just me? Is anyone else feeling home sick?

None of my friends really seem to be feeling it and I'm kind of confused. Did my parents shelter me too much and not give me enough freedom? Is that why I miss them so much? It seems like whenever I'm distracted or with friends I'm fine but as soon as I get on the phone with my parents or a friend from home I'm completely in tears. Going home this week didn't help. It seems like as soon as I got there I was leaving. I'm from Greenville (North Carolina) which is a 7 and a half hour drive so I can't just go home for a weekend if I want to. It's really hard since I've never been very far from home before. This made going home for fall break really important.

I hope yall had a good fall break and I'm really sorry it's late!!!!!!

Love Megan

This is me and my best friend from home, Kayla!!!!

Catherine Miller (Holly Taylor 12:20-1:10 TTH)

So lately it seems like the only problems I have had, well besides the billion parking tickets I am getting, have to deal with guys. I was seeing this guy and things were going really well and we would be together all the time after class. So I asked him if we were just seeing each other or if he was seeing other people also. He told me that he really really liked me but he wasnt wanting a relationship. But he also said he didnt want me to see anyone else besides him. So i was just like....umm...alright. Like what do you do with that? Well after i had asked him that he just completely stopped calling me and texting me and hanging out. But I see him everyday in dodson and he always comes up and gives me a big hug and sits down. So i was so confused. I asked him if he still wanted to hang out and he said he thought i didnt like him anymore but that he would text me later. he never ended up texting me so i am completely giving up on him. Im not going to wait around for him because if he truly liked me like he said he wouldnt be treating me like that, right?
Well, my roommate and i are always down at the kappa alpha house haning out with the guys because we are pretty close with some of them. I have recently began to talk and hang out with one of them pretty often. he and i have really opened up to each other and it is nice to have a guy that you can tell anything and know that he is listening. But my roommate and my friend tell me not to get involved and they would be disappointed in me if i tried to take this guy and i's relationship farther. neither of them will tell me why but i just think it is weird because they dont really know him. He is a nice guy and keeps me laughing so i love his friendship but my girlfriends think i want more which i dont think i do at this point but they wont believe me.
i just dont get why guys are so confusing sometimes!!
but anyways i hope you all are going to have an amazing fall break and i will see everyone next week!!

Is it just me or...

So, I was planning on writing this blog last night (or this morning, rather) at about midnight (no, this has nothing to do with my OCD with promptness, I was just looking out for my fellow best of friends classmates who just want to comment on the blog and head out for fall break). Unfortunately, I passed out (sleep, not drunk...who's drunk on a Tuesday night? Don't answer that) while watching The Office from the prime viewing spot of my top bunk. I don't have a TV in my room, so free full episodes of The Office, SNL, and Conan O'Brien on NBC.com is my new favorite thing, besides sandwiches, because I really love sandwiches and they are my favorite thing. I digress...there's a recurring article in TV Guide, which I usually just read for the pictures, you know, called "Is It Just Me, Or..." Being the creative person I am, I'm going to steal it. I got my Last.fm radio station set up (play similar artists: Matt Costa) and about twenty minutes before class, so here it goes.

• Is it just me or does taking a shower here make you feel a gazillion times dirtier? By "dirty", I mean like "Hey, I just took a shower in the same place that fifty other girls took a shower in, not to mention the many girls before us, and the possibility that this was once a boy's hall..." Shower shoes are of no consolation.
• Is it just me or do colds spread like STD's around here? I don't mean like you get a cold by having certain sexual acts...even though it's possible, but seriously when one person on the hall or in the class starts coughing or sniffling, that sickness will track you down and make you its hoe. I've dealt with this by compulsively washing my hands after making so much as eye contact with a person possessing the sickness.
• Is it just me or if you don't have rainboots, you're officially screwed? College life without a pair of rainboots dooms a person to a day filled with squeaky shoes and about a foot of wet denim fabric clinging to their ankles from the ever-social rain puddles.
• Is it just me or do I miss my parents more than they miss me? Not that I'd ever admit that...
• Is it just me or are home cooked meals just against my religion now? I call and hear "Oh, hey honey, I was just fixing supper..." Fixing supper? Who fixes supper anymore? I hand over a CatCard to be swiped and go at it at the salad bar. My mother goes into great details about the tender chicken and the slow-cooked macaroni and cheese being consumed at my household. I firmly believe a home cooked meal would put me in a coma for the rest of my life.
• Is it just me or do drivers go out of their way to hit pedestrians? Save for the friendly CatTrain bus drivers, I've been in the middle of the road and hear the gunning of a motor belonging to the most intimidating 95 Camry I've ever seen. My afternoon run turns into a sprint for my life. I guess it's good training.
• Is it just me or is sympathy easy to get here? By this I mean, all I have to say is "Yeah, we don't have a TV in my room" and the person I'm talking to gets a little teary-eyed and wants to give me a hug. Seriously? Is the lack of a TV draw the same pity as a close relative passing away? Like I said, NBC.com has got my back.

Is it just me or do I write a thousand times more than I talk? My bad. Go enjoy your fall break. Go spend time with your boyfriends, your friends, and your family. Not in that order. I've got a two-week-old niece waiting for me back in the 704 (that's the area code, I apologize for my slang) and a phobia of dropping small children that I'm holding, so I'll let you know how that goes. Happy fall break!

Madison Laura's class MW scott blue

So first I would like to apoligize for the rediculous lateness of this post :D

So I have a song for y'all!! Most of you had probably heard it before but it always puts a smile on my face and sorta made me think of y'all <3

"Do You Believe In Magic"

Do you believe in magic?
In a young girls heart
How the music can free her
whenever it starts

And it's magic
if the music is groovy
It makes you feel happy like an old time movie

I'll tell ya about the magic
It'll free your soul
but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll

If you believe in magic, don't bother to choose
If it's jug band music or rhythm and blues
Just go and listen
It'll start with a smile
It won't wipe off your face no matter how hard you try
Your feet start tapping
And you can't seem to find
How you got there
So just blow your mind

If you believe in magic
Come along with me
We'll dance until morning, just you and me
and maybe, if the music is right
I'll meet ya tomorrow
so late at night

We'll go a dancin' baby then you'll see
all the magic's in the music and the music's in me, yeah

Do you belive in magic? Yeah.
Believe in the magic in a young girl's soul
believe in the magic of rock n roll
Believe in the magic that can set you free
Ohhhh, talkin' bout magic

Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
[repeat]

Best of Strangers and more stuff...

Ititally when I found out I was going to be in an all girl 'best of friends' class I was kind of dissappointed. But when I came to class the first day I realized it would be a great opportunity to make new friends. Right? Not so much... We have had roughly 15 classes so far and I feel like I dont know anyone. Laura is making an effort to get us closer but for some reason we keep ignoring these great opportunites to make new friends. We act as though this is an easy 'A' class that we are forced to go to. Yea maybe it is, but maybe it's so much more. How often in your college career will you get college credit for being friends with people? Not often. So sieze this chance to make new friends and lets get closer as a class. I don't care if you want to be my friend but I want to be yours so from now on I will put forth the effort to be a friend to the class and I hope that you all will do the same.

Next, I would like to rant about college and depression. For the short time that I have been a college student I have been faced wtih depressed friends, and even the occaional down day of my own. My roommate and I got into an argument yesterday night when I asked her what was bothering her. And I knew something was bothering her b/c she wasn't speaking at all. She said she wasnt a people person and life's a bitch so why not be one. I then replied that, that has to be the saddest way to live your life. Isn't just as easy to be happy, look up and ignore the little things that have the capability to get you down? I think so, I used to be that girl that never spoke, was scared of everyone and didn't want to have anything to do with people but I changed, people aren't mean, and the mean ones are not that hard to ignore. If you havn't listened to anything I have said in this blog, listen to me when I say be happy look up and ignore the little things. Life ain't that bad and you only have one so live it up, Party, study, do stupid things (this i'm good at), and have no regrets.

Jessica Burkley Best of friends MWF scott blue 5 pm

Hey everyone! I am the principle blogger for the day! I hope every body's week is going well for them and they are not becoming stressed out with turning in assignments on time and taking/studying for test and quiz's. For those who are stressed then I suppose it is a relief that Friday is not that far away.

So, how is college going so far? Is it what you expected? Were you able to make new friends along the way? I know for some people that this is their first time away from their home, parents, and siblings. For me, this is the longest time that I have been able to live without seeing my parents faces and every single day. Although it comes as relief to get away from their nagging, I am starting to get somewhat homesick (which is why I am trying to see them on fall break!)

 College on the other hand is pretty good for me. I always thought that I would be buried down with pressure/work and not be able to keep up with all the assignments my professors hand out to me;  I guess I proved myself wrong. Most of my teachers are pretty laid back and the assignments they pass out are usually easy and self explanatory.  Before I came to WCU, people who were in college always told me how they were not doing that well because they allowed their "new" responsibility and judgement misguide them to making bad choices. And for some reason I believed that what happen to me; once more I proved myself wrong.

As for making friends. I am really surprised at how quickly I bonded with so many people. It comes as a shock for me, because I was unable to make a lot friends during my middle and high school years. I some how got listed off as a "loner" since my classmates would normally see me by myself. The few 'friends' that did have were either people who liked using other people to get what they wanted, or 'school friends' since we never visited or talked to each other outside of school. Thus were never able to really know one another. That's why it makes me happy that the people here truly want to get to know me, without judging the type of person that I seem to be.

Well I don't really know how to end this, so I'll start by saying the first thing that comes to mind: if you ever have a difficult moment in your life, remember that your not alone. Someone will always be there if you need to talk. And you shouldn't judge another person you don't know or made no effort to become acquainted with, since you don't know what problems they may be going through in their life. With that being said. I'll see you in class!!

Kristen McClure Scott Blue MW 5:00

Today after my 2:30 class, I went out to see the clothesline project on the UC lawn. As I walked around, I had mixed emotions. I was happy, sad, and sometimes mad. All the shirts had so many different meanings. I felt so sorry for children that are abused and have no one to help them. Also, there were all kinds of shirts that had descriptions of murders that had taken place as a direct result of domestic violence. Seeing this project really inspired me to get involved at the Women's Center. I'd love to be able to help prevent domestic violence and abuse as well as many other issues that women and children all around the world face everyday.

Missing My Family

Well... This is the first weekend that I have not had to go home since I came to school.  I really love a family that I baby sit for.  There is one little girl and two little boys.  The little girl is 3 and told me that I missed her ballet class and that she was sad I really felt bad.  One of the little boys that is 7 is still mad at me because he does not understand why I would go to school for 4 years instead of only 4 months.  The past few weekends he would not speak to me when I came home. He thought I was coming home again this weekend now he told me he is mad at me again and does not love me.  I know it is crazy that I miss the kids so much but I have pretty much seen these kids every single day for the past few years and now I see them maybe once a week or once every 2 weeks. I may be eighteen but I still miss my little ones! But I will be seeing Blaire ( the little girl) this weekend and her ballet class dance! I am very excited!! Well have a good day everyone!   

Finding the Words!

Hey girls, its Taylor and I get to be the principal blogger... yay! I dont know if I am doing this exactly right but I'm trying. I want to thank Holly for allowing her best friend to speak to us today. I didn't remember her name because I was to caught up in what she was saying. I think today was the day for me to here her because I just felt that my best friend and I are not growing anymore. This is really hard on me because she is my best friend. No we haven't known each other for 10 years actually not even one year but when I met her it felt like we had known each other all of our lives. We have so much in common and then again we have so much that is different.

She has had a hard life and has had a difficult time letting go of stuff that has happened. And I have had a hard time getting her to understand that, that is her past and she has to let that go because it will always bring her back down. She takes almost everything seriously and I have a hard time with this to because I joke around so much. Today in class our speaker really got to me when she said that we have to inspire as a friend. I think that I have found myself. I am confident and I know who I am. Thats not common for many girls our age. But I want to be that friend that inspires. I want to be able to inspire my best friends to be able to find themselves don't try and be like who I want them to be, I want them to be who they are! My best friend recently started dating this boy and it seems like she has changed..... I get a long with the boy but its like she isn't who she was when she was single. I don't know what happened.

Another big thing that I took out of class today was the quote that she used or made up.
"Friendship isn't one big thing, its millions on little things." I love this because I am the type of person to do little things like send a text to someone I haven't talked to in awhile or just leave a sticky note on the mirror for my roommate saying I love them.

life.. and then some.

Since moving into Western, things have been kind of rough. First of all, I was in a relationship that lasted over a year. I put up with a lot because I was scared to let go. When someone threatens your life, it's kind of hard to walk away with your head held high. I was put down everyday and called a whore just because he felt like it. I was grabbed and pushed up against walls only because I was scared and didn't know where to turn. I knew coming up here would be the best thing for me and I would finally be free from him. So, that Friday night, I done it. I told him that I wasn't happy and I didn't want to be with him. He went completely crazy. He drove up here, cussing me the entire way for everything I was worth. I stayed in my room like a recluse because I was terrified to go outside thinking he would be there. Finally after I quit answering his calls, he left me alone. That was a huge weight off of my shoulders. I could finally go out and not be scared of him attacking me. Sounds strange huh? He would do it though.

Now, I am exactly where I want and need to be. I couldn't be happier; I have never been this happy. I am talking to a new guy and he treats me like an angel. I have never been treated like a princess and that is exactly what he does.

Classes are going okay I guess. Just a lot more papers than what I wrote in my entire highschool career, haha. I love it up here though. I can't wait for it to get cold and for it to snow, even if it is just a little bit. I going to learn how to snowboard =]!! How exciting is that!

I hope everyone is settling in okay and I wish everyone the best of luck!!!

Jessica McClure
Kim's class
MW 5-6

MWF Scott Blue Kimberly...

I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good


It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:


Because I knew you:

I have been changed for good


And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled Like a ship blown
From orbit as it Off it's mooring
Passes a sun, like By a wind off the
A stream that meets Sea, like a seed
A boulder, half-way Dropped by a
Through the wood Bird in the wood


Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

And because I knew you:

Because I knew you:

Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

This was a song played at a funeral of a Freshman at my school who died 2 years ago Tuesday September 16. She and her best friend were in a fight when she died. "And just to clear the airI ask forgivenessFor the things I've done you blame me for"I dont think you should ever leave someone mad at them, you never know when it might be the last time you see them

REMINDER FOR EVERYONE - Laura (instructor)

Hey all,
I just wanted to remind you that there are three classes supposed to be blogging on this blog-site! Please remember that you need to identify yourself when blogging or commenting, also include what class you are in, etc.

Also, please do not log on using the best of friends site to post a comment unless you are an instructor! It is free to create a log-in...all you need to do is have an e-mail address.

Thanks friends,
Laura
Scott Blue, MW 5:00

Monday Mornings (Holly Taylor)

So, I guess this is my first blog here (I think I'm the second one to post for Holly's class :)) and there isn't really much that comes to mind. My first weeks at college have been rough since I am trying to balance both school and a full time work schedule. That will be fixed soon so I don't come in on Monday mornings feeling like crap (now would be a good example of this). It does help me though knowing that my best friend and boyfriend will only be a phone call away if I ever have one of my mini meltdowns and need some calming down.

I've missed the first football game here, which kind of bums me out. I'm not really that into football, but I do love watching the marching band, I have my boyfriend Robert to thank for that. And, that climbing wall in the new fitness center is calling to me, but time and work schedules keep me from doing anything here on campus. Hopefully soon, I will have more time to do the things that I want to do while I can still keep a job (after all, everyone can use the gas money right about now).

The past class of BoF really moved me, despite what I looked like that day. While other girls started tearing up, I kept a straight face as I quietly listened. I thought that I was the only one that had gone through something horrible and had to grow up as fast as I did, but there are other people, other women, that are like me. It is comforting to know that so many have been through something, and that in some way, on some distant level, we can all connect and comfort each other and rejoice in the fact that we are who we are today and are better women because for what we have been through. Thank you everyone for sharing. Maybe one day I will have the courage to stand up and share my story.

-Malissa Gispert

The Things I Would Have Never Known

Hey ladies! So I haven't ever even used a diary so forgive me if this isn't the greatest blog you will read. :)

Today's class really changed the way that I saw the different types of girls in class. Before today I was thinking how can these girls have anything to say to me that will relate to the things that I have been through, but now I no longer see us as so many different types of people. We have ALL been through things that we don't care for anyone else to know about or things that show our weaknesses that we so often keep hidden inside. I just wanted to say thank you all for sharing your stories they really did touch me and in ways that I do not even know yet have changed my life. Upon hearing the stories that you guys wrote I can honestly say even if we haven't spoken to each other I respect YOU because you are all such strong women. No longer girls but now we are all women. Thank you all for sharing the heartfelt triumphs that you have been through. I wish you all the best and I have faith that you can achieve it because to have come through the things we all have there is no way that we can't make it through anything and just come out stronger than we were before it started. To end this blog I would like to leave you guys with a quote that I believe we all strive to keep, " I hope I am strong enough to make up for your weakness" (unknown). This to me means that I am constantly hoping to be strong enough to handle anything that may come my way through others' weak moments.

Have a GREAT weekend!
Kate

stressed to the max!!UGH!!!!!

Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy." ~Amy Alcott

So is it only me or is everyone starting to become a little stressed... College life is a blast but it is also stressful. With all the school work and of course the social atmosphere we sometimes get lazy and decide we will do that later. Well later becomes later and later. I have realized though that the more we wait the more we don't get are work done and the more stressed we become.

I hope that everyone is having a great experience but is also not getting to stressed. This college is a great place to learn and have fun so hopefully we do. have a great week. Relax and don't stress!!

New and Old

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

I don't know about the rest of you, but I left a lot of old friends when I came to Western. Whether it was friends that were still in high school or friends my age going off to different places. I was nervous about making new friends...I'm very outgoing but I was still intimidated. Turns out I've made loads of new friends and stayed in relatively good contact with my old ones. It's funny the friends you make too. Girls that were total rivals in high school are now friends. Guys who come across shy and embarrassed end up being the most talkative ones!
I really like this quote because to me it shows how true friends should act. We're all reaching the time in our lives where we find out who we are and what we want to make of ourselves. Things have and will continue to change but know that your friends, no matter what, will always be there tears and smiles. I hope to make many new friends in this class and am very excited at what the future holds for us all and the ones I am already becoming close to.

A Golden Oldie! S Club Seven

REACH

When the world, leaves you feeling blue You can count on me, I will be there for you When it seems, all you hopes and dreams Are a million miles away, I will re-assure you  We've got to all stick together Good friends, there for each other Never ever forget that I've got you and you've got me, so  Reach for the stars Climb every mountain higher Reach for the stars Follow your hearts desire Reach for the stars And when that rainbow's shining over you That's when your dreams will all come true  There's a place waiting just for you Is a special place where your dreams all come true Fly away swim, the ocean sea Drive that open road, leave the past behind you Don't stop gotta keep moving Your hopes have gotta keep building Never ever forget that I've got you and you've got me, so  Reach for the stars Climb every mountain higher Reach for the stars Follow your hearts desire Reach for the stars And when that rainbow's shining over you That's when your dreams will all come true  Don't believe in all that you've been told The sky's the limit you can reach your goal No-one knows just what the future holds There ain't nothing you can't be There's a whole world at your feet I said reach  Climb every mountain (reach) Reach for the moon (reach) Follow that rainbow And your dreams will all come true  Reach for the stars Climb every mountain higher Reach for the stars Follow your hearts desire Reach for the stars And when that rainbow's shining over you That's when your dreams will all come true Reach for the stars Climb every mountain higher Reach for the stars Follow your hearts desire Reach for the stars And when that rainbow's shining over you That's when your dreams will all come true Reach for the stars Climb every mountain higher (fade to finish) 

Yeah!! I'm the first blogger!!!!

Hey people, I'm Madison and check it out, I'm BLOGGING!!! :D So, I think we're all at a good place where we're slowly but surely getting use to the concept of being in college. I mean, yeah it's really weird to take 700 people who have no idea what we're doing and are all trying to figure junk out and say "Hey! You're living together, so.... have fun!" Yeah, sure. But now that we're all settled down I definitely think I'm seeing some great things happening. Friendships are popping up throughout the dorms, people are banging down our doors asking us to join this club or that organization (woo hoo! social life!), and tommorow is our first official football game as students here! WESTER! WESTERN! GO WESTERN! GOOOOOOOOO CATAMOUNTS! So I think my whole point is that yeah, moving up and out is rough but it's already starting to get better and I really want to encourage you ladies to make the most of it and have a freaking amazing time :D

Welcome all to the new "Best of Friends" blog for Western Carolina University. We are working hard this summer to start something new and exciting for you in the fall! Yes, this blog is part of your grade (don't worry...you are sharing the responsibility with other members of your class and the other classes).

The picture that is attached to this blog is from the first "Best of Friends" class this past Spring. We had 11 members then and we now have 70! YAY!!! We look forward to meeting all of you and can't wait to start this semester!