THE BIG DAY

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The day has come...TO GRADUATE UNIVERSITY!

Wow. Just the sound of that carries so much. 

Also, SO SORRY FOR THE LATE BLOG!!
It's been nuts with moving out and such. But thanks for being patient and to all those who do follow this blog, much love to you!

My parents said to me all day, "You've worked so hard to get here, you should be so proud!" And yeah, while I agree that I worked my butt off to get here, I wasn't sure if I did everything right.

That was all changed when I was sitting in the middle of the Pete, tassle on my right, and looking around at the sea of graduation caps. These were people I've spent the last four years of my life with. And here we are all together taking it all in.

Our commencement speaker could not have been more perfect. He has the biggest resume I've ever heard, including four, yes FOUR, trips to SPACE. Talk about a guy who is out of this world...
(sorry dad jokes gotta happen at some point or another)

Haha but really, he said some very touching stuff. What resonated most with me was when he advised us all to keep reaching for the big dreams we have. We have to fearlessly seek new opportunities in life, and it's okay to change your mind if that dream doesn't work out. I was in tears when he told us we could fail, because things are going to turn out okay. It's how we perceive our own self-determination to try out something new and trust ourselves to follow through with it.

And now I hold a Bachelor's degree.

I think it's awesome how at events like these, people really show their support and love for you. Like when I looked up into the stadium, I saw a few really cool people waving in my general direction (how did they even find me?!?). My friends Lauren, Danielle and Abby (who has been in London all semester!) were there supporting Mavis and I. How awesome are they!? Not many people would sit through that when it wasn't even to celebrate them. True friend MVPs.

The amount of pride I had for my school at this moment and for everyone around me who stuck with their decision to finish college was incredible. It's not easy to get to this point, but we killed it.

Congratulations to the entire class of 2015! We did it!

More photo ops of course! And excitement for the graduates, and seeing Ab after so long!

So remember that big list of goals I had set for myself to complete within 100 days through graduation? Well, here's the original list, and how I did. Let's see how it worked out:

Goals:

• Kayak along the three rivers - okay, not yet. But in my defense, the weather was not reliable enough to plan for this. All the more reason to come back to Pittsburgh soon!
• Walk across that stage. - DONE. DONE. DONE. I did this, and didn't fall. Emotionally and physically.
• Get in the Oakland zoo - Yes! I sat with Liz in the front row =)
• Have a killer spring break - Um, obviously. Disney World won't forget this dynamic duo!
• Run a 5k (or trot, jog, somersault - whatever works) - YES!!! I'm really proud of this one. Honestly when I wrote out this goal I laughed a little at myself because I was almost certain it wouldn't end up being completed. But I did it. And with a little help from my friend, didn't walk a single step.
• Cook healthier meals - I tried? Yeah unfortunately college budgets don't really allow for a lot of creativity here.
• Keep making HC awesome - I like to think so =)
• Survive dancing for 24 hours for charity - uh huh! I felt great afterwards too!
• Get into grad school - YEAH BABY
• Have a backup plan - didn't need one haha. But it was to apply to work for HC Nationals in Boston!
• Stay involved in my sorority - I think I did!
• Accept the changes about to come barreling through: play them up and see what they can do for me - these changes came in heavily, but I think they are what got me through senior year feeling like I did something that mattered.
• Make memories with the people I care about - Yes. I wholeheartedly don't regret a second of my time this semester spent with my friends.
• Never forget this school, and the people in it. - Hail to Pitt forever. I'm always going to call Pitt my second home.

So what do you think, pretty well huh?

Life is not perfect. Not everything is going to work out exactly like you planned. But making lists and working toward your goals will make you smile when you look back and see that you really did make a positive change in your life.

Also, It's never goodbye. It's see you later =) 

Just an FYI, I do plan on continuing this blog from time to time! Not daily, but yes you will definitely be seeing some of my summer adventures and some Syracuse here and there, so we shall return here someday soon!

Until next time babes!

XO

Amanda

Cookie cake and a gold accent

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Dang. One day left.

I think it's safe to freak out now.

Okay so technically I had my first graduation today. I know I know, the countdown says we have another day. But we actually have two. One for your major, and one with everybody. So today, I graduated with everyone in the School of Health and Rehab Sciences.

The ceremony was pretty interesting to say the least. First of all, I thought the audience was going to riot. Apparently the air conditioners were so loud nobody could hear anything the important people were saying, so the crowd literally shouted to the front to tell all these professionals that their speeches were totally mime acts.

But other than that, it was really nice seeing all my friends in my major walk across that stage.

My turn next.

Now's the time where my completely unreliable feet have to take me across the stage without tripping and falling.

And guess what, I did it!

Sweet Caroline was the best part of it all. And then afterwards, my parents got to meet my two favorite professors and chat with them a while before heading home.

It's never an instant feeling you get when you complete a milestone. It's always something that really has to sink in for me. Like, when I got back to my seat after making my way across the stage and meeting the line of hand shakers, it's not like I was all "okay done, next!" It took me all day and night to get the feeling to kick in that, hey, I'm done with school at Pitt.

UGH SO SAD.

So later going out with these guys, I accidentally got really emotional when everything settled in with me. But the night was super fun and I'm really glad we all got together.

Pitt, I love you and I love what you've given me.

Also, my parents were adorable all day being cute at the graduation. You guys made the day that much more special. And tomorrow with my brother here, everything will feel whole.

Don't be afraid to fall babes.

XO

Amanda

Dora the explorer

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My Friday was full of new adventures and quality friend time =)

In the morning, a mani-pedi was much needed before starting off the day. I went with pitt sparkly blue on the fingers, and a pale adorable pink on the toes. The wait might have been forever and a day, but it was so worth the pampering treatment.

Then, MORE GRADUATION PHOTOS!!!

Liz, Mavis and I headed out for some classic poses by the panther and cathedral fountain, with Lauren being the best photographer ever. I love friends who do stuff like this - go above and beyond just to make you happy!

During out photoshoot, we just had such a good time getting silly photos, and the candids came out just hilarious. 

Also, I got another thing crossed off my bucket list: splash around in the Frick fountain!

Again, Lauren you're a champ. 

As my parents were coming into Pittsburgh, while they settled into their hotel Lauren Mavis and I trekked up to Mount Washington for some more amazing photos, and memories.

I love this city.

There's nothing stopping me from coming back to visit someday. This city has given me much more than I ever expected it to. It has believed in me even when I didn't myself, and it has taught me how to grow from mistakes. 

So here's to the best city in the world, and the best school in the world. I am so honored to be graduating from this and taking everything I've learned into the next years of my life.

Adventure is out there, go and find it babes.

XO
Amanda

Cords on cords on hoods?

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Three's a crowd.

Speaking of crowds, today I got up bright and early to join the coolest crowd around. My sorority!

Look how cute we are!!

Getting graduation photos done will probably be one of the planned experiences I cherish most. I don't think I can possibly look at this photo and not smile. Every one of my senior deephers are here together sharing this special moment. Being part of a sorority has been such a rewarding experience, and this picture tells it all.

Also, I couldn't stop laughing at all our hoods and cords getting blown around by the wind. It was definitely a non stressful morning, just easy going and fun!

Later in the day, I just sort of relaxed, got some more packing done, called the parents, and hung out in Carnegie library for a bit to just get out of the house. Nice change of scenery once in a while never hurt.

The next few days are going to be really busy! I'm looking forward to seeing my family really soon. Also, be in the look out for more graduation photos :)

Work toward your goals babes, it will get your far!

XO

Amanda

Bare walls

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One for each one direction member?

Sorry, too soon!

Today my roommates and I started the day off by taking down the wall decor in our apartment. It only took us a little bit, but we got a good amount done. Now you can start to hear our echoes! It's sorta creepy actually. But all the more progress to getting moved out.

Then my little, gl and I went out to the porch for some yummy lunch and catching up. 

Later that night, Mavis and I went down to south side for some shoe graduation shopping and obviously a milkshake. Just look at the fudge gooing down the sides!

Also, happy earth day!! Go pick up some trash everyone! Love the earth and the air around it!!

Stay eco-friendly babes!

XO

Amanda

@ PNC 3 times opening week!

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OMG FIVE DAYS!?

Ah, beautiful Pittsburgh. You never fail to amaze me!

Today was the perfect mix of productivity, getting my cough and cold feeling better, and having a little bit of fun. 

Because this is my second ball game of the week! That means I've been at the lovely PNC Park three times including my 5K race (which I'm still shocked at myself for doing)!

So after finishing my VERY LAST FINAL PAPER (Holy Toledo) my roommate and I bussed downtown to redeem our free tickets to see the Pirates play any game this week. Pretty good deal for running in a race!

As the Pirates faced the Cubs, we entertained ourselves with some treasure chest dippin dots (a better version of cookies and cream) and checking out the gift shops (duh!)

Haha we clearly know how to always have a good time!

Until next time babes!

XO

Amanda

Trip down sicky lane

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Man these days are coming down fast!

So as you all might know, I've been battling this sickyness for quite some time now. And today was no exception! But, I have been feeling a little bit better as the day went on thanks to my trip to the student health center. And some apple juice.

And a couple calls home :)

Chatting with my parents all day (they were worried I had something super weird and not normal considering the doc prescribed me a million meds) really helped a lot to get my mind off being stressed. Seriously stress, you can back off now!

The rest of today was basically me resting to get my strength up to finish my last paper at Pitt EVER. Oh my gosh I never thought I'd see this day.

I'd also like to "sister" my big for being awesome and driving to run errands for me while I'm being a potato. Love you so much big!

Stay out of the doctor's office babes!

XO

Amanda