Where’s Waldo?

This past school year I felt like many aspects of my life have been a game of “Where’s Waldo?” Nothing has changed dramatically and everything is still there, but at the same time I feel like many things are missing. This blog and the inspiriting it provides has been one of those things. Well, with graduation now behind me I have some catching up to do.

Randomly I will think of things to write about and read things that inspire me, but I have not stuck by it and taken the time to truly think about what they mean to me. Sitting down and writing my reflections help me to understand how these articles, pictures, and videos change and challenge me.

So here’s to a fresh [re]start! And to start it off, my current background on my phone, thanks to Pinterest, which is a great daily reminder for the future.

Keep Dancing!

Eurotrip

I can’t believe it! I’m writing this from Budapest! The time is finally here for my month of gallivanting around Europe!

Wofford has a January term that we call interim and this year I am getting to travel to Europe on a WWII trip! We started in a Budapest and tomorrow will be our third day here. I’m still in shock that I’m here! It’s absolutely amazing! This is definitely a city to visit if you are looking for somewhere to go in Europe!

You can follow along on my Instagram for pictures of my adventures.

These are a few of my favorites

Hope y’all are having a wonderful New Year!

Passion into Purpose

I’ve been in a rut lately: no inspiration, no motivation, and lots of M&M’s. But with the change of the leaves and the holiday season upon me I can feel the spark coming back into life.

A friend shared that quote with me a few weeks ago and it really struck a chord with me. A few days later I read this post by College Prepster and I knew this idea of passion and purpose was meant to be in my life right now.

I’ve always thought of dance as my passion. It gives me a thrill unlike anything else and it provides me with a sense of belonging. However, being realistic with my health, I know that my hopes of being a professional dancer are in my past.

Could this passion for dance lead me elsewhere? Is there a job out there perfect for me and my love for dance? Is it going to lead me to something else creative? There’s no way to know right now, but I feel like time will tell.

Have you turned a passion into something more?

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

Senior Experience

I apologize for my lack of attention to my blog lately, my life has been filled with many ups and downs. Senior year is a very exciting time and there are a lot of amazing things going on around campus, but it’s also filled with a lot of uncertainty.

There are people who have an absolute idea of what they want to do after graduation, and then there are people, like me, who have absolutely no idea where life is going to take them. A few weeks ago I went to an event hosted by The Space (Wofford’s career services) to aid seniors in their job search. It was a very informative event and I wanted to share some of my take-aways.

The career search should be thought of as if it is another class that you are taking. This means that you should set aside time every day to devote to it. It is also something that should be continual. This is the same as the basic principle of physics: an object in motion stays in motion, while an object at rest stays at rest.

During the job search you should keep your options open, but don’t focus on staying open. Think of it as a hallway with a lot of doors. Once you walk through one door, you could find a room that leads to more doors. However, you would never know unless you gathered the courage to look.

We also discussed everything from resumes to social media and how sometimes they can be one in the same. In today’s world the use of technology, specifically social media can make you stand out in a crowd. The internet can open many more doors if you only take the time to care for and foster your presence.

The session was very informative and has helped get me going along the search, although the answer of what I want to do has yet to be answered. Oh well, in due time. The best I can do is to keep searching.

What advice would you have for seniors entering the workforce? Do you have any tips that have helped in your job search?

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

Friday Five: Go Greek!

Today marks the start of formal recruitment here at Wofford. It’s an absolutely crazy weekend, but it ends with an amazing Monday with new members! I know there is a lot of debate out there about the importance of fraternities and sororities, but I see being part of a sorority as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! Here are my five favorite things about being Greek:

1. Philanthropy: Tri Delta’s national philanthropy is childhood cancer research. This really resonates with me and I absolutely love doing everything I can to help out in raising money. Tri Delta’s also raise 25% of all money raised by Greek organizations! How amazing is that?!

2. My sisters: This sounds cheesy, but I absolutely love my sisters. They are my roommates, best friends, and will be my bridesmaids when I get married. They help me when I’m going through a rough time or when I just don’t feel like studying. I absolutely don’t know what I would do without these girls!

3. Functions: Between the crush parties, semi-formal, and formal we always have a blast. Dressing up and going out with my sisters helps break out of the ordinary.

4. Leadership Opportunities: I have had the pleasure of holding many leadership positions in Tri Delta, including being philanthropy chair. Holding these offices has allowed me to get involved in Tri Delta further and also on campus. I’ve met and worked with people I never would have imagined.

5. Plethora of Ideas: Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has their own ideas. I find it amazing for us to all work together and collaborate to make Tri Delta better. An idea that someone comes up with may turn out to be a tradition for years to come!

 

My pledge class at semi-formal last year! I can’t believe this is our last year!

On the Tri Delta patient care floor at St. Jude with other philanthropy chairs!

Two of my best friends who are also on dance team!

My roommate and I at initiation last year!

My Tri Delta family at Duck Calls and Overalls!

Are you part of a Greek organization? I would love to hear about your experiences!

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

 

 

 

This September Day

Although I’m going to see Mumford & Sons tonight and very excited about it, there is one thing that takes priority over tonight.

I find myself every year stretching to remember everything I can about this day in 2001. I want to be able to remember and I don’t want to lose the memories in my mind.

Sure, I was not old enough to comprehend what was happening at that exact moment (I was in 4th grade coming back from PE when I found out), but as I’ve grown and learned and met people who were directly affected by that day I have developed a deeper sense of pride in our country.

This is my favorite song to listen to as a reminder of that day. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones how much you care and to thank a soldier today.

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

 

101 in 1001

Today’s the day! I’m officially starting my ultimate “to-do” list. I have 1001 days to accomplish this list of 101 things.

When I first saw Mackenzie Horan of Design Darling‘s list, I thought the start of senior year would be a perfect time to try this.

I encourage you to create your list and let me know when you do! [Beat me to it? I’d love to see a list you’re already working on!]

1. GRADUATE!
2. Find a job post-grad
3. Move to a new town
4. Have photography printed to hang
5. Learn more about my camera
6. Develop my personal brand
7. Enter pictures into a photography contest
8. Refine my style
9. Cleanse my closet!
10. Travel to Europe-already planned!
11. Utilize career services
12. Find a concentration for this blog
13. Learn code
14. Host a dinner party
15. Go to a blogger convention
16. Make blog friends
17. Subscribe to  a magazine (it would save me so much money!)
18. Keep an updated inspiration board
19. Develop a morning routine
20. Develop a workout routine
21. Go to New York for at least 3 days
22. Spend a day at a spa
23. Become an active Tri Delta alum
24. Get my hair professionally styled
25. Learn how to do make-up beyond basics
26. See at least 20 “must-see” movies
27. Work reading into my daily routine
28. Find a mentor
29. Invest in (and learn) Photoshop
30. Get 100 blog followers
31. Splurge on a nice purse
32. Find the perfect graduation dress
33. Learn a language
34. Consistently journal
35. Buy 10 coffee table books
36. Buy my domain name
37. Get MARRIED!
38. Write a letter at least once a week for 3 months
39. Eat food from a  food truck
40. See an outdoor movie
41. Learn to ballroom dance
42. Create an address book
43. Attend a fashion week show
44. Decorate with fresh flowers for 2 months
45. Go to the ballet
46. Set a budget and stick to it
47. Get my boating license
48. Attend Spoleto in Charleston
49. Own an iPad
50. Write a book
51. Find a church to attend regularly post-grad
52. Save $10 for every goal completed
53. Donate $2 to St. Jude for every goal completed
54. Go to the beach outside of SC
55. See Wofford from the roof of Milliken
56. See a musical on Broadway
57. Visit 3 new states
58. Make time to write every day for 1 month
59. Go to the Grande Ole Opry with Christopher
60. Visit 3 new museums
61. Start an art collection (at least 3 pieces)
62. Increase the variety of my iTunes music
63. Master cooking 3 of my favorite meals: Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Soup, and Country Fried Steak
64. Take a Paint & Pour class
65. Go sailing with Alex
66. Learn calligraphy
67. Unsubscribe from old email lists
68. Go on a trip with Alex
69. Learn (and use) a new word every day for 2 months
70. See all of the movies nominated for best picture before award season
71. Read at least 3 Jane Austen novels
72. Go apple picking
73. Read the WSJ every day for 1 month
74. Invest in the stock market
75. Keep a “line-a-day” journal every day for senior year
76. Make a playlist of 101 of my favorite songs
77. Make a list of the 50 quotes I find most inspiring
78. Take a picture of every letter of the alphabet
79. Quit using “like”-seriously a bad habit
80. Memorize the president’s in order and 1 important fact about them
81. Write a letter to myself to open on my wedding day
82. Make a list of advice I wish I had been given about college for my cousins
83. Write a personal manifesto
84. Throw a 4th of July party
85. Redesign my blog
86. Put all of my pictures on an external hard drive
87. Take a weekend trip
88. Visit a winery
89. Update my accessory selection (shoes, jewelry, purses)
90. Go to a Bed & Breakfast
91. Drink more water and no soda for 3 weeks straight
92. Go to a Packers game with Dad
93. Take at least 3 Alt classes
94. Go to bed before 11 during the week for 2 weeks
95. Work out with a personal trainer
96. Learn more about fashion & interior design
97. Utilize the public library
98. Guest post on another blog
99. Design & stick to an editorial calendar
100. Go on a picnic with my own picnic basket and blanket
101. Inspire someone else to make their own list

My finish date is May 30, 2016. This seems like far away, but I know it’s going to go fast!

Here’s to new goals!

Keep Dancing

A Day for Dreaming

Today marks 50 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. made his “I Have a Dream” speech. While a lot has changed in the past 50 years there is a lot that still remains the same.

My favorite is the human nature to dream. I spend most of my time dreaming. I dream of what I want my senior year of college to be like. I dream of what I want to do once I graduate. I dream of what I want my future to look like and the mark that I want to leave on the world. I dream of ways to make my desires a reality.

Wofford has influenced a lot of my dreams and made me dream for things I didn’t know existed. 3 years ago I was moving into my freshman dorm, in the same way that our Class of 2017 is doing today, with a dream. The important thing is to hold onto that dream, change it as you change, make it grow, and make the effort to make it a reality.

As Kid President said today “We all have a duty to make sure the world keeps dreaming of better things.”

I leave you with two videos that have inspired my day:

Wofford Move-In Day! (A combination of some of the best people and the best commercial on tv)

The speech that inspired it all:

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

Friday Five: Sneak Peek

This post lines up with part of the reason for my absence as of late. I’ve been on the search for direction (for both myself and this blog) and I came across the ultimate list. It’s the perfect combination of a bucket list and a to-do list.

Design Darling has quickly become one of my favorite blogs (her shop is equally amazing!). She created a list of 101 things to do in 1001 days, about 2.75 years. I decided this was a challenge I could take.

This list has proved more difficult to create than I was expecting, but I have finally finished! There is some tweaking I still need to do (I have a problem with being too vague, even with myself) before I share the entire list. But this week I wanted to give a sneak peek of the five items I’m most excited to accomplish.

1. Graduate!
2. Go to New York for at least 3 days
3. Get my boating license
4. Make an iTunes playlist of 101 of my favorite songs
5. Eat from a food truck

I encourage you to start your own list and stay on the lookout for my reveal next week!

Keep Dancing,

Cayla

Wild Wednesday

Do you ever have those days where nothing goes quite like you could have planned? Well that was my day.

I had a post planned for today, but with today’s events I changed my mind. (I was very excited about the other one so you’ll probably see it soon, though.)

The day started off with waking up and not being able to move. Sometime during this morning I rolled over funny while sleeping and strained a nerve in my neck. My back was so tight I was having to think about breathing because I simply wasn’t to avoid the pain. Luckily, it has relaxed some throughout the day at work, but this morning had me worried.

But today while at work I found out some amazing news! Tri Delta‘s nationally raised $5.6 MILLION for St. Jude this past school year! This was a record year for the fraternity! This also sets us at more than $14.2 million towards our goal of $15 million in 5 years! At the rate we have been fundraising I’m predicting that we reach our goal before Christmas.

[the announcement on the Tri Delta insta]

I’m also extremely proud of my chapter, which raised over $30,000 this past year. Being a smaller chapter this is quite an accomplishment. I’m so proud of my sisters and all the work that they put into helping with fundraising!

Do you have a favorite philanthropy? What’s the most you’ve raised for an organization?

Keep Dancing,

Cayla