i started school and hosted a party. no big deal.

somehow, several years ago, i was able to take a full course-load, maintain a B average, go to parties, date a boy, sleep, eat, dress in cute clothes and successfully graduate with a degree.  i am going to pat myself on the back now. that took a lot of good time management, as i am now being reminded of since i decided it would be a good idea to try it all over again. only this time with a dog, a cat and a boyfriend, all in the same house.

i am taking two traditionally freshman courses, biology and pre-calculus, as well as principles of horticulture and landscape graphics. there's also a 1-hour lecture specifically designed for transfer students to prepare us to enter the professional world. we have to create a resume and a linkedin profile, as well as sit for a mock job interview. awesome. i can do this.

it's overwhelming. there are so many people. i have lots of homework. i am paying lots of money. i quit my job for this, and the pressure to succeed is heavy. i have turned into the brown-noser, the girl in the front row, the shouter-outer of answers, the person who does their assignments ahead of time and gets the answers right. i will join the horticulture club. (it meets monday nights. first meeting is august 30th. you know i wrote it down in the calender and highlighted that junk, along with the horticulture career expo, which is in october.) i want to be a better and more engaged student than i was the first time around, and it's not easy. the reassuring part is that i know that i made the right decision. i find myself hanging onto every word that comes of my professor's mouth in the principles of horticulture lecture. i caught myself looking at the course catalog today for what horticulture classes i can take next semester. i am still nervous and excited, and i'll be sure to keep you posted.

in other news, we entertained our first gathering of people at the house this weekend! heather's bridal shower/party was saturday night, and i think it was a successful event. unfortunately, andrew and i were busy getting ready up until the very last second, so i wasn't able to take as many food pictures as i'd hoped - by the time i had a chance to get my camera out, most of it was eaten - but below are a few i managed to catch. after the shower, we met up downtown with the groom and some of his friends for a few drinks at natty greene's. it was a very pleasant evening.. and we are all eagerly anticipating their sure-to-be beautiful wedding this december!

heather & jason, the happy couple!

mmm.. empty plates & cherry cupcakes.

almost-drained pitcher of the crucial sangria.