Sixteenth Grade

Sixteenth grade smells a lot like fried chicken and tequila, or perhaps that's just Wyckoff after Family Dinner. Sixteenth grade sounds like Kanye, with our downstairs neighbor's techno also making the far too common appearance especially on mid-week mornings. Sixteenth grade looks like a train wreck at times, except when we're all dressed up for the various internships, jobs(dare we say it!), and meetings that occasionally come up. And sixteenth grade tastes like absolute freedom with the slight bitterness of the real world on the back of our tongues. Sixteenth grade is wild and dramatic and loud. There's also a strange amount of ABC family shows and movies in sixteenth grade. Sixteenth grade isn't filled with a whole lot of sleep, but it's the stuff memories are made of. It is the stories we laugh until we cry at the next morning, and if they're really good we still laugh at them the next week. Sixteenth grade is a year full of last firsts, and there's only 3.5 months left of it so we're soaking up as much sixteenth grade as we can.

The name was coined by Liam or maybe it was Emma or Max or Adam or Katie. Heck it could have been Hannah, but she's a little Fifteenth grader so somehow I doubt it. A text has just confirmed that it was indeed Liam. All I know is that as soon as I heard it, I liked it. Sixteenth grade is our final year of college, before we spread our wings and leave our safe little New Brunswick haven. The thought is inevitably an even combination of exciting and scary. Not many of us(slash none of us) know exactly what were going to be doing, where we're going to be living, or how we will survive for that matter, but it's good thing. We'll have our degrees and from there, I'm personally hoping that the world just envelops me into an array of possibilities and I eventually choose one for more than three days. That's one thing I've been really consistent on: coming up with amazing plans for my future only to come up with an even better one three days later. At least I'm consistently inconsistent.

I'm taking the night off from Sixteenth grade because tomorrow I have the pleasure of waking up at 4:30AM so that I can go coach my 11/12 year old volleyball team. We're dead last in our region, but they're first in my heart. We've yet to win a game, but luckily they're at the age that it doesn't make too much of a difference as long as they get their serve over the net or I let them "volley" on an open court. They're tres cute! I never thought that I would enjoy coaching as much as I do. It's funny because when you're playing you never think about what a pain in the butt you are, but when you're coaching you realize you probably drove your own coaches to drink more than one glass of two buck chuck. Oops, sorry about that. Also luckily for me, my girls also think I'm the strongest and most perfect "volley-er" they've ever seen, even when I hit a ball on the other side of the antenna. It's been great for my self-esteem thus far.

So I'm off to bed to dream up perfect rotations and grandiose 16th grade and beyond plans. Charmed life. Hope it's going just as swell for all of you even those of you in like the 37th grade...oh no, bedtime came simultaneously with my neighbor's house music and bass, they're in 16th grade too so who can blame 'em.

Ciao!

Last Night

Tonight is the last night that I will sleep in my childhood bed as a college student. By the time I return in May, I will have a degree, and hopefully some idea of how to spend the next part of the rest of my life. The first part of that I'm sure of, the second part is up for grabs.

This break has given me a lot of time to think about what I want to do with the rest of my life, if I could only settle on a few of those thoughts I would be in pretty dandy shape. Today, while I made butterscotch frosting for a chocolate cake, Julia read to me from some of her favorite blogs. One of them, "The Pioneer Woman," had a section on blogging tips that suggested that you need to tend to a blog like a plant, and even when you have nothing to say, say it anyway. (How was that for a run-on sentence...). Tonight is one of those nights that I don't have a whole lot to say...

Here's what I did on my last day of my last night as an undergraduate student in Encinitas:

I went hiking with my two best friends to Torrey Pines and down onto the beach...

Photo Courtesy of Rainforestcollective.com

We ate Vegan Cupcakes at Lotus Cafe in Downtown Encinitas...



We sat in the sand in our running clothes and lied to boys by saying we were training for a triathalon(apparently that seemed like a good excuse for us being at the beach in running wear)...


Jules read crazy internet finds while I baked a yummy chocolate cake with butterscotch frosting...

The Butterscotch Frosting was homemade from my new cookbook, but the cake was a mix(Trader Joes succeeds again!)

Had dinner with my whole family and then some...

Pretended to pack but really looked at European adventures...

Sat in my bed with Rodeo, my hyperactive yet lovable cattle dog.


I think it was a pretty good final day. The sun was shining, the company was fabulous, and I still have an entire semester of fun ahead of me. Yes, life ,while certainly not quite as orderly as I would like, is good.

Gorgeous!

Ps-I found this picture of my grandpa while I was cleaning their attic...it makes me smile no matter how many times I look at it!

New Year, New Goals

Laughing my way into the new year knowing I'm armed with some great goals, great friends/family, and a whole lot of sparkles to don on the days when the first two aren't cutting it

I just got home from the most massive trip down memory lane, only to realize that I have to get in the car tomorrow to drive to Molly and George’s Farm. This Christmas break has only been 10 days long and has already been quite the whirlwind adventure. Where’s my Rest and Relaxation?

Nonetheless, in typical insomniac over-achieving Caitlin fashion, I’m up at midnight writing down goals for the 2011. I have been trying to come up with a good resolution for the past few days, but then I got to thinking that resolving to start writing down my goals was the best resolution possible. It’s funny that a lot of people (myself included) consider themselves goal-minded, yet they neglect to do the most important task of writing their goals down. Saying you have goals is one thing, putting them to paper is a far different ball game.

I think that one of the reasons that I, and so many others perhaps, have such a hard time writing down goals is simply fear of failure. It’s that voice in the back of your head that says, “If you write this down and it doesn’t work out the joke’s on you.” The funny thing is, if you believe that, the joke really is on you. Not achieving goals isn’t the failure; failure is when we neglect to pursue goals because they might not work out. Key word here: might.

So in all this going back and forth of whether to write my goals down, and cleaning up my room, I found a Lululemon worksheet on goals.

Nothing like divine intervention in the form of conspicuous consumption.

Nevertheless, the worksheet gave me just the inspiration I needed to solidify some goals for 2011. I like to think of them as working goals, because I plan on updating them throughout the year. I know they need to be more measurable perhaps, and a tad more specific; but I’m pretty happy with the start…

2011 Working Goals

*Blog at least once a week *Save money for traveling after I graduate *Explore different career possibilities beyond law school→maybe pharmaceutical sales or real estate *Become a runner→Run at least 2x a week from Jan-May, 3x June-Dec *Apply to Law School in September *Cook 20 recipes from “Joy of Cooking”(future blog topics!) *Organize photos from computer (16,000 on one hard drive is a bit much…) *Embrace what(ever) the future has in store for me

Well, that’s the start of my New Year’s resolution to set more goals. I’m going to be a person that sets concrete goals and holds herself accountable instead of just claiming to be goal-oriented.

Hope everyone reading this has found a resolution, is looking for a resolution, or has resolved to be happy resolution-less! Happy New Year!!



Here are some recent pictures of mine that are making me smile right now:

My 72 Wackadoodle Friends that laugh with me through IDB disasters, study sessions, drama llamas,
and everything in between

Old Friends that show me that fun times are still ahead no matter how many states or schools separate you

Adam, who has endured more crazy family time and girltalk then any boyfriend desreves

Julia, who is always ready to pose and wear red lipstick

My oldest friends that prove that best friends and platforms are forever

The family that always thinks I'm the bestest, brightest, nicest...even on the days I'm not

The family that also drives me a little crazy somedays...


And the silly self-portraits that are going to keep me laughing throughout 2011


xoxo, Cait

Rainy Day Thoughts

The rainstorm of the decade greeted me upon return to California, but I’m not down about it. The rain has forced me to hunker down and relax a bit, something that is much needed now that the holidays and my birthday are in full force. Tomorrow I’m turning 22 on the 22nd, making it my ever-awaited “Golden Birthday”. I think my friends and family are sick of hearing about it…

Today, after boredom got the best of us, Julia and I went for a walk in the downpour. It’s funny how we revert so fast to childhood when we’re home together. We must have looked ridiculous; two 22-year-old girls puddle hopping through Encinitas in oversized raincoats and boots. Call me crazy but it was a lot of fun! For girls that try so hard to be mature in are normal day-to-day existence, we sure get silly fast. Afterwards we went to a movie with the final member of the tripod Kelly, and then to Jade’s for wine, Apples to Apples, and more reminiscing of childhood past.

Most of my friends at home don’t have a set plan of what they’re doing next year, this should make me feel better, but instead it freaks me out more. While half of me is blissfully excited about the unexpected next, it’s hard to calmly imagine a plan-less future. For now I am simply trying to enjoy my time at home, and hoping to get back on track with my blog. Volleyball season put a damper on my creative flow, but hopefully being home will bring some much-needed inspiration. Hope everyone is having a sparkling holiday season!

Here are some pictures of rain that I’m loving right now…







I'm loving the couple in the distance...makes me wonder what they're talking about...but I'm nosy like that.









I love the out of focus background, with the rain in focus. There is something so mysterious and profound about unfocused pictures












This scene from "The Notebook" says it all...rain can definitely be fun and romantic.

Friday Quote

People grow old only by deserting their ideals

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul.

You are

as young as your faith,

as old as your doubt;

as young as your self-confidence,

as old as your fear;

as young as your hope

as old as your despair.

In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber. So long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long are you young. When your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only, are you grown old. And then, indeed as the ballad says, you just fade away --Douglas MacArthur

Now that finals are over I plan on blogging a lot more! I heard this quote in my Comm Law class today and I thought it was very inspirational. I especially like the part about wrinkles because even though I'm only 21 I worry about that kind of thing. It's weird that I only have one more semester left of college, the time has gone by way too fast! I'm not really sure what I'm going to do next year, but I'm trying to enjoy the moment and not worry too much about the future. Hope this quote finds everyone feeling young and joyful!

Study Finds

My mom has been in town the past week, dragging me to every thrift store and vintage-y shop within a driving distance radius. I used to be so embarrassed when I was younger to go thrifting with her, but lately I have really begun to appreciate it. Fashion is so funny in that it's absolutely cyclical--there are some awesome vintage finds out there! Plus it's très green!

With Senior night on Sunday, my family and boyfriend's mom in town for the weekend, and tests next week, one would assume that I've been staying busy with other things. If only that were the case...instead, I've been finding lots of fun fall styles to adore and lust after...

We the Free by Free People 'Navajo' Cardigan

I love this Native American inspired sweater by Free People but the nearly $200 price tag is a little OTL for my bank account....I just think that colors and style are so fun, it'd look great with jeans and some lace-up boots.

Here's another fun sweater...

Loooooooooove this Frye Boots!

My house is boot crazzzzyyyy right now, barely an hour goes by without one of my roommates mentioning which boots they're salivating currently salivating over. Maybe it's the cold weather that has fallen upon New Brunswick, maybe it's the thought that with season nearly over we'll have to start dressing like real people again(Goodbye eternal sweats and running shoes!!!), or maybe it's just that we know the power of cute boots!

Okay okay, my Sociological Theory book is calling my names, as are all my other errands...Tomorrow's my last practice ever, I think I'm in denial because it just doesn't feel real yet. I'm really sad about all of this coming to an end, but I'm also getting super excited for the unknown future! I was sitting on the couch today with Jeff, Emma's dad, and he said, "This is exciting. The Unknown is exciting," So for as sad as I am to close this chapter in my life, I know he's right.

Back in Business

Isn't it funny how we let life get in the way of the things that bring us joy? If I added up all the minutes that I spent worrying about what might happen, and put them to an actual productive use--the possibilities are endless. Thankfully I have a family, friends, roommates, and a boyfriend who on more than one occasion have brought me back to reality, and kindly told me to calm the efff down.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the future this week, I think it's because I only have two more games left in a college volleyball career that almost wasn't, but has turned out to be an act of grace. Since I came to college, I have lost more games than I have won, but in return I have been given extraordinary gifts. The ride has been anything but smooth, but the bumps are where the memories are created. I still get a few chuckles from my Santa Barbara days when I think about Kathy telling recruits that I was the girl with "28 boyfriends one month and 28 the next"...yes, the ride has been rocky, but I can't say it wasn't memorable.

While sitting in the theater waiting for "Wicked" to start last night in NYC with my mom, I got to thinking just how truly blessed this journey has been. In 2007 if anyone had told me that I'd end up 3000 miles away from home, I would have passed out probably. I have gotten to see parts of the country I never even dreamed I'd have the chance to see: I've been camping in Delaware during a freak storm with Emma, eaten delish crabcakes in Baltimore with the boys, walked the Freedom Trail of Boston and seen hand-dives(you know who you are) in action, driven through Katie Groff's glorious state of Pennsylvania, Farmfested, gone DTS, gambled in AC, seen Broadway plays, eaten Turducken in Michigan, and so much more. The best part is, I have this feeling that life is just beginning.

So yes...I'm scared as hell. I'm freaked out because I'm currently plan-less for the first time in my life. But, I have to tell myself that with such a great past, there's no question that the future is going to be anything less than spectacular.

I'm trying to get back to blogging now that I'll have some free time on my hands....