Our Dis-functional Family

            I have really enjoyed the time we have all spent together as a "dis-functional family" in English. I think Professor Sanders referred to that, but maybe not. That's kinda what I think of and I love it. I love that the class is small and that we had to break up into groups. That really helped me get to know you guys. Also, as annoying as these blogs might be, they are so cool because you get to learn interesting things about each other. I also think it's cool Adam asked for help with finding a present for his girlfriend!

            I only wish we could have all gotten to know each other to hear more funny stories like Santino's. That was crazy. My personal story, I thought of this as you were presenting Andrew, involves China as well. Junior year prom I really wanted to have a yellow prom dress. Not an obnoxious color, a pretty pastel or something. So I was online shopping and found this one which I really liked. My mom and I ended up ordering it, and once we had placed the order the delivery date was something ridiculous like a month. Further research showed that we had ordered the dress from China. Meanwhile, I was being bombarded with spam emails.

            My dress finally came and I was so excited! When I went to try it on it was soooo tight. It was like I was wearing a corset. The zipper barely functioned and it was hard to get in and out of the dress. Finally on prom night I got all ready, blah blah blah, and it was so fun! I came home from the dance to change into more comfortable clothes but I could not get my dress off. I had to wake my parents up because I didn't know what to do. They worked on the zipper for about 10 minutes when my dad finally got fed up and grabbed a knife he uses to cut deer with when he shoots them (fillet?). He literally cut the dress off my body, it was crazy. So that is my prom dress from China story. Have a great break, it has been so fun getting to know all of you!! :)

Extreme Makeover: Dorm Edition

          This weekend everyone on my hall seemed to be rearranging their rooms. For a while now I have wanted a change, and sometimes I even get bored and wish I could rearrange and try different styles or arrangements. Unfortunately the room isn't big enough for that, and there are only so many styles you can try if your room mate doesn't want things to change.

          When I came to college I wanted my bed lofted as high as it could go. Well that was a little too high, so my dad graciously moved my bed lower. Then it was too low and I didn't like it, so we moved it higher once again. I had set up a majority of my room when I realized it was such a struggle to get up. My dad again moved my bed down but gave me a hard time because I was so picky. Yes I was a little adamant about how exactly I wanted my bed to be, but I saw it as my dad will never get this chance again! Once all the major things were in place I took the classic college girl dorm room pic and put it on Instagram.

                                          

          Today I was relatively unproductive, except for the fact that I rearranged my entire room and cleaned absolutely everything. Now, when I say my entire room I just mean my side. And actually, technically the only thing I changed was that I lowered my bed. It was nice the way it was, but it started to become a hassle climbing up and getting down, and it prevented other people from getting to my bed too which is nice until I actually want some company. Having my bed lofted also proved the theory that "hot things rise and cold things sink". Since the heater has been on I have been suffocating and dying from the stuffy room and lack of cool air. Though I'm next to the window and have always had it open, the air doesn't actually come into the room

          To fix these problems and to amuse myself by rearranging, I lowered my bed and rearranged the things underneath the bed. I am beyond excited to sleep in my bed tonight with the windows cracked and a new view of my room. This is my redecorated room, you all are probably rolling your eyes seeing how excited this has made me, but its okay! You all are also now experts when it comes to what my room looks like, haha! I was really excited to blog about this, hopefully it wasn't too painful to read! Pictures always make it better though :)

                             

Pitch Perfect

            As you may be able to guess by the title I have literally just finished watching Pitch Perfect. I'm hoping you all have seen it because I think it is an excellent movie! I'm really good at quoting movies, yes I'm that girl. My best one is Cheaper by the Dozen because I used to watch it all the time as a kid. But back to Pitch Perfect, I can't sing, but if I could I have always envisioned myself as Beca. If you haven't seen the movie this won't make sense to you. Basically she is "alternative" and independent to the traditionally perfect looking pop singing all female a cappella group. She speaks her mind and doesn't care about what other people think about her. She is also really good at mixing songs and I only wish I had that talent!

            Speaking of music, for the first time today I walked across the drillfield with headphones in. But not just any headphones, Beats! I absolutely love my headphones, and they will definitely come in handy with these cold months approaching because they keep my ears super warm! The other thing I love about them is that they are noise-proof which is an amazing feature. As I was walking I found myself walking faster to the beat of the song, and I felt like there was nobody else around me. It was such a great feeling. But sometimes I get these looks, like "what is that white girl doing wearing beats? She's probably listening to boy bands." But I like to keep people guessing, they don't even have a clue..!

You Are Who You Aren't

          Four hours until midnight which means only four hours until HALLOWEEN!!!!! I have never been a big fan of Halloween, I always dressed up with my friends and went trick or treating (mostly treating) and maybe we would have a sleepover that night too. A couple weeks ago, maybe like two, I was not excited for Halloween. I knew it was on a Thursday and it's not really a thing for college kids to go around asking for candy (or is it?). I haven't been out on a Thursday yet because I have class Friday morning. Not super early, but I still have that good student mode.

          The turning point came last Tuesday when I was doing Chem Lab homework (eew). My friend and I were on hot topic looking at Halloween costumes. She wanted to be Woody from Toy Story and her room mate wanted to be Buzz. They found costumes there and then I got sucked into looking and found the perfect costume for only $18!! Before you judge me, I feel like at some point in every female's life, they are either a naughty nurse or a French maid... Well I got the French maid costume and I was absolutely ecstatic and growing more excited for Halloween by the second!

          With this new excitement I became obsessed with Halloween and kept coming up with ideas for costumes. I mean you only have four Halloweens in college (so good thing they last the entire week!) But still, I went a little mad. The French maid was cheap so I was fine with that. Then my group of friends decided one night we were all going to be drop out cadets, perfect!! I already have everything I need to wear for that, I just had to buy eye black which was like a dollar. Then my friend and I were in the Volume II Bookstore by the empo one day and I saw this Hokie tutu. It was double the price I paid for the entire maid costume but I HAD to get it because it was so stinkin cute and I knew I would wear it for games next year!! So to sum it all up for you, Thursday I'm being a Hokie girl (that's a cute costume), Friday I'm being a drop out cadet with my friends (a little more edgy and daring), and Saturday I'm being the French maid (there are no words ;) ).

          The maid costume came in today and I couldn't wait to put it on! I have to say, it looks pretty darn good haha! Now I know Halloween is said to be "the one night of the year you can be someone you're not and people won't judge you for it" but I totally disagree with that statement. In fact, I feel like because others are expecting girls to be slutty there is even more judgement! The maid is risque, but I also like to keep it classy not trashy. The skirt is short in the back so I need to wear spandex, but my room mate had a different idea.. She told me I just needed to wear a thong. Sorry that may have been wayyy too much information, but my point here is that is trashy and just no. Absolutely not. I was speechless. And then she told me her costume was a pair of underwear. She has a boyfriend. I was speechless. You do you ho.. Oh I meant girl

          To end on a positive note I am super excited for Halloween! Hopefully you all are too! I know that was a long post, but hopefully it wasn't boring. Three and a half hours until HALLOWEEN, and counting!!

Keep it classy (insert peace sign emoji here)

Puke

          No this isn't about throw-up, that's just nasty. This week Tech plays Duke, and my family calls them "Puke". I'm super excited for this game for a couple of reasons; 1. because it is a 3:30 kickoff, 2. because my family is coming, and 3. because my grandparents are also coming!

          Finally a later kickoff time! This makes me happy, but it's not like I'll be sleeping in Saturday anyways because my family will want to do things like go out to breakfast, tailgate, and walk around campus with me as their personal tour guide!

          My family is coming, like I said, and I am so excited for them to experience a Tech football game. My dad is a Redskins fan and my mom is a Bears fan so they have been to their fair share of NFL games. My dad played football in college and high school, and my parents have come to my high school to watch the team play occasionally. However, I think you could all agree with me that Tech football games are unreal and cannot be compared to NFL, high school, or even other college games. The atmosphere is so alive, the students are crazy, and we have a wonderful representation of alumni! I just can't wait for them to experience it!!

          My grandparents are also coming and they have never been to Blacksburg before so we are all excited about that. They have 18 grand-kids and two more on the way. I am the oldest so this is an experience for them as well. Even though they went through the college process several times with their own kids I think it's cool they are here to go through mine as well. I love my grandparents, I'm super close with them and I love sharing parts of my life with them. I'm so glad they are able to make it down to see me, my school, and be apart of the best college football fans!

          YAY! This weekend is going to be fun and I can't wait!!

I'm Addicted to Blogging!

          I'm not sure if this is the week where we don't have to blog or not. If it's not you all don't have to comment, I was just so excited that I had to take the opportunity to write this down!

          It all started Wednesday, after I got my 100% on my quiz at the Math Empo. My friend and I had Chem lab and our "stations" are across from each other. We became friends because we have 5 classes together!! Anyways, we shared a moment when I was putting my goggles on. I used my nose as an anchor so I could slide the strap behind my head. The result, I looked like a pig! It was pretty funny. Then at the end when we were discarding our hazardous waste she spilled it all down her side. That's not something that should be funny but I promise you she was laughing and so was I!

          Thursday I wasn't very productive, I was delirious from working so hard earlier in the week. Oh well, you can't be productive 24/7!

          Friday I was super productive! But I also had fun! I had a dinner date with one of my girlfriends at Turner and that was great. Then we met up with our other friend and walked to the rec fields to see someone we know play a girls fall ball game. After that we came back and just chilled which was relaxing.

          Saturday was the best day of my entire life. Game day!! My friend and I tailgated with our RA which was pretty funny! Then we went to the game and sat in the North End Zone which is probably the best place you could be for a football game! I sat with one group of guys for the first quarter and when we scored I got tossed for the first time ever which was pretty amazing! After the first quarter my friend left because she had to light our other friend's fire on the field. (She is one of the twirlers!). When she left I moved to sit with my RA and that was so fun!

          The halftime show came around and my RA and I moved down to where the band usually sits and leaned up against the fence to take pictures! First of all I was on the big screen for like 5 seconds, and second of all I was on ESPN!!!!! HOLY CRAP! I was soooooo excited! The previous game I was on the big screen twice! What can I say, the camera loves me!! I look like a loser on ESPN, but oh well!

          All in all it was an amazing game and one that I will definitely remember forever. Plus the fact that we won! The sad thing is that there are only two more home games this season, but I guess that should make me excited for next season!!

          To finish out the week my friend and I went to D2 Sunday morning for the first time ever. Let me tell you, I feel like I had been missing out on something before this, like my college experience wasn't quite complete! Now that I've tried it I think I should be taking regular trips there. But I will need to watch out for the Freshman 15, yikes!

          I'm excited that this week is short and at the end of it is fall break! Sure I have some hoops to jump before I can relax, but I want to stay motivated in order to have the best possible week and the most relaxing fall break!!

Ima Keep it 100

          Can I just say that I am so proud of myself? Wednesdays are my hardest days. I have chem lecture from 10:10-11, chem lab from 12-1:50, and then bio lecture from 2:30-3:45. Maybe it doesn't seem bad, but I'm telling you, that much science in one day is ridiculous! Also, and I don't mean to rant here, but I literally have to inhale a sandwich for lunch! Okay so that was my day, and tomorrow I have a math quiz due by 4. But I'm in class so I usually take it Thursday morning. I have a meeting with my bio prof Thursday morning so I was at the Empo today.

          After taking this set of modules seriously and actually attempting to understand the problems as opposed to memorizing them, I took my quiz. 100! ONE HUNDRED! ONE FREAKING HUNDRED! Holy crap I got a 100! Six out of six! WOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH! Can you tell I'm excited and happy?! Okay so I got a hundred and hopefully that motivates me to keep it 100. I need to do well on the quizzes because I'm not that good when it comes to the exams.

          I would also really thank myself later if i tried hard to get ahead in math. That way I don't have to stress over due dates and I could take the final early and be finished with the class! Also, if I take the final early enough it won't interfere with studying for my real classroom finals and that will reduce stress! Yay!! Anyways, I know this post was pretty boring but I was just so excited about my 100 that I could scream it to the world!! Also, everyone hates on the math Empo so I thought I would give it a little love!! ;)

Innocent Reflection

          I feel like the late evenings, into the night, and early hours of the morning are the times when my thoughts are deepest. But maybe it's not just me. When you're talking to someone, don't your most intense conversations happen at night? The heart to hearts where you spill your guts and you don't even think about it twice. The deepest topics come up and the conversation seems to flow. Am I the only one who feels like this?

          Music for a lot of people sends them deep into thought. Depending on the music and the mood, different thoughts come out. I am currently listening to Taylor Swift's album Red. I don't know the words to every song, much less the titles of the songs. But the classic relationship-breakup-meaningful-thought-provoking lyrics paired with the slow pace and strum of the guitar have my mind spinning.

          This assignment we currently have in English is all about reflection. When I'm in class I feel like my mind is moving so fast my thoughts can't keep up with themselves. My pen is constantly moving but the words on my paper don't make sense to anyone but me. I leave class and my wheels are still turning, but I need to focus on other classes or assignments.

          The time of night + music + the English assignment = deep thoughts. I can't remember the last time I had thoughts like these. Maybe you guys can't relate because guys don't think like girls do: with their emotions. But I have to think that there is some deep reflection that goes on in those brains of yours. Maybe society has made it unacceptable for guys in general to portray those emotions, and I think that's sad.

          There are just so many things that happen in life and reflection is never a phase or block of time scheduled. And maybe that's a good thing because then thoughts would be forced and not as valuable. These blogs are sneeky. It's like you can write anything you want and it seems like a place to vent. I'm sure you all as my readers have picked up on moods or personality traits. I just think it's interesting because I feel like I get to know you all by just reading and seeing the different topics you write about. I can be innocent or rebellious, or anything in-between. You just never know someone until you're inside their head.

Fuck

          Up until now I feel that my blogs have been bubbly and light. Cheerful and funny. The reflection of my personality. In case the title wasn't enough warning, this blog's tone is completely different.

          I had my first college exam this evening. Chemistry. And let me tell you, it kicked my ass. Going into it I felt relatively prepared. But when I read the first question about significant figures I had no recollection of anything I learned. Everything just went blank. The simplest question and I couldn't even answer it. I know what significant figures are, I know how to convert from grams to moles to atoms. Why then, can I not take a damn test?!

        After taking my test I got a call from an ex of mine. He was saying how I have changed so much and I don't put my studies first and I go out too much on the weekends. He said I had an amazing opportunity right in front of me and I was abusing it and taking it for granted. He told me if I kept my ways up I would be sorry because I would lose my opportunity or see somebody else lose it and then I would get a reality check and realize that he was right. Moral of the conversation, he is disappointed in me and that really gets to me and makes me feel awful. But I'm just so confused...

          I'm probably going to regret being this vulnerable, and it's so easy to just let it all out over the internet. I guess this is just another mistake I can add to the list.

          On the bright side, so you actually have something to comment off of, I'm going home this weekend. Hopefully it's low key and I can get all of my homework done and maybe even get ahead. Maybe it will be good to sleep in my old bed and not have as many distractions of temptations around.

Peanut

          First of all I would like to point out that I finally figured out how to title my blog, yay!! You should all be proud of me! Second, I'm in the mood to rant. I apologize in advance because I am the only girl in the group and you probably don't want to hear about my problems. That being said, because I am the only girl in the group I feel like you are not exposed to girl rants and I feel the need to include you in this wonderful experience! But I'll try to make it as funny as I can.

          My room mate's name is Jenn. She has never been away from home for more than a night, like she has never even had a double sleepover! Her boyfriend goes to Radford and he lived with her for a majority of this past year. She Skypes her family every night which is fine. What is not fine is that you can hear her half way down the hall with the door CLOSED! Like excuse me, I'm trying to study and you're yelling at a fucking computer screen. Can you not? The best (and when I say best I mean worst) is when she talks to her dog, Peanut. I'm fine with dogs, I like dogs, I have a dog. But what geeks me is that every time she talks to him she talks to him in they typical-girl-baby-voice-talking-to-a-puppy. Fine, okay whatever. But you can hear her down the fucking hall!! All she says is Peanut in a high pitched voice. No joke, it sounds like shes having a fucking orgasm. WHAT THE HELL?! I even had somebody ask me if she was having sex in our room. I'm shaking my head right now and I'm sure you are too. But hopefully you're laughing too!

          Okay I think that's my rant for now. Thanks for putting up with it, I tried to make it short! Have a great weekend and GO HOKIES!!!

I was Sober, I Swear!

          Well this weekend was jam packed with activities (if you know what I'm talking about!) The main event was the football game and everything seemed to revolve around that, but rightfully so! Being at Lane as a Freshman with season tickets was AWESOME! Though I did get a sunburn tattoo of a VT on my face, it was the best first game ever!

          Some people are into partying and drinking, others aren't and that's really okay! As long as you're comfortable. Lots of activities happened this weekend and personally none of them involved homework. Classic college student, procrastinating. I left my homework day for Sunday which I now know is never a good choice.
          I was up until 3:30am on Sunday taking care of my friend who was an absolute wreck. That is true friendship and I really didn't mind it! So anyways it was a late night and the next morning my friends came into my dorm room to wake me up. Background story: my room mate's boyfriend goes to Radford so she's always there on the weekends which actually makes me really happy because I like having the room to myself. Also, apparently I left my door unlocked while I was sleeping, so I woke up to my four girlfriends in my room literally dragging me out of my lofted bed. Dangerous, please don't try! Throughout the day I worked on homework and was somewhat productive.
          Later my room mate finally came back from Radford and I was studying in my room. She wanted to Skype her parents so I went down to the study lounge, I also needed a change of scenery. I was in the lounge with my friend Laura and we took a study break. I was blasting Rock Yo Head by Tech N9ne and going absolutely crazy. Yes, I was sober, keep that in mind. I was dancing on a chair and thought it would be a good idea to try to jump to the windowsill. Needless to say that was not a good idea, I completely missed and fell hitting my elbow and landing hard on my right hand. It hurt so freaking badly, but instead of tears I couldn't stop laughing!! I ended up really bruising my hand, it was super swollen and blue and I couldn't write yet I still had homework to do.
          The reason I tell you I was sober is because every person I told/ who heard the story thought I was drunk. Nope, these are the decisions I make on a regular basis! So I guess the moral of my story is to not jump onto a windowsill. Don't follow in my footsteps.

'The More the Murrayer'

A Little Bit About ME!

         As my first true blog I just wanted to introduce myself. Yes, since we are Freshman this seems to be the only conversation we ever have: My name is Madeline Murray but I go by Maddie. My major is Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. I'm from Stafford, Virginia (some people consider that NOVA, so I guess I'll just say that) and I live in O'Shag. Blah, blah, blah.

         Hopefully you will find some things about me interesting. I am the oldest of four girls and I grew up in a military family. Though most of my life I have lived in Stafford, I have lived in North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan. I have visited Italy, Singapore, Thailand, and most recently Canada.

         The past two summers I was selected to participate in a Leadership Development Program (LDP) off Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. It was a two month commitment for two summers and focused on community service, personal and group leadership, spiritual growth, physical challenges, and more. The first year we went on a six day hike on the AT (Appalachian Trail) with a twenty four hour solo in the woods. I became a certified lifeguard and also paddled 126 miles in a canoe down the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine (a ten day canoe trip). This past summer my fellow LDP's and I planned and led a five day hike in the White Mountains, took another ten day canoe trip in the Chibougamau Region in Canada, visited Quebec City, participated in a forty eight hour solo, and completed a 3.1 mile swim in an hour and forty four minutes. Wow that's pretty wilderness heavy!!

The "Rattlesnake Swim": Started from the tip of the island in the middle that looks like a rattlesnake. Ended in the cove on the bottom right of the picture. You actually can't see the "finish line".

         Aside from being a seemingly wilder-woman, I like to put makeup on and meet new people! I am so excited to be a Hokie and can't wait to see what freshman year has in store for me!!

Always remember to laugh with your friends,
they will be there to catch you whenever
you fall.

Hey my name is Maddie and this is just a test blog to make sure I'm doing everything right!!