Downton Abbey

I know that I binge watching TV shows is about the only way I do it any more. After moving into the new house for the summer, the fact that classes haven't started, and still being on a job hunt, I've had a lot of free time in the evenings. Downton Abbey is probably the most addicting show I've seen in a very long time. 

I have a strange collection of shows that I like to watch, mostly a lot of BBC, hence why I stumbled upon Downton. I was turned on to it by a friend who watched all three seasons that were out when she was sick one week. That level of binge watching is pretty impressive, but oh so deserved with this show.

It follows a royal family back in the nineteen teen's, and their servants, who lead almost more interesting lives than the elites. It has everything you need good guys, bad guys, lovers, family feuds, a snarky grandmother (played by Maggie Smith no less), charming young men, debutantes, and a dog. The level of plots and subplots going on is astounding, but I guess it's needed with over 15 main characters. 

The best part? They seem to end every single episode with some kind of plot twist that makes you jump straight to the next episode without even allowing yourself to go get another cup of tea. I think that has to be one of my favorite things, no matter what is going on, someone has something that you can't wait to find out what's going to happen. I know that once I'm finally caught up, waiting a whole week for the next episode might kill me.

Are there any TV shows that you just can't stop watching recently?

Life in Fast Forward

I know I've been offline for the last three months or so, I let life catch up and overwhelm me. The best news if have right now is that I have just one more final! It's tomorrow, and I still have to study, but the freedom is so close I can taste it. We had our first rain here in Laramie and it has made me so ready for the fresh beginnings. 

I've started packing my room up because in the sorority house we change rooms every semester and aren't allowed to leave our belongings there. For the first time I am going to be staying in Laramie for the summer, and I can't be more excited. Cleaning and throwing 

After this semester with two jobs, seventeen credit hours, and a position in my house I filled up all my time and left none for fun. Something I seriously regret. It was a life experience I've had before, but not on this level. College as I've been reminded is an experience to enjoy. 

It's getting to be summer, it's getting to be time for sun, and it's getting time to enjoy being a twenty-something(as I will officially at the end of this month). 

Are you having fun plans for the summer? Was this semester crazy for everyone else? 

Snowy Range

In the dreary month of February it seems like there isn't much to do, and other than Valentines day it is a pretty boring month. This doesn't mean that its a total drag however. I have friends who just can't wait for spring and summer. They long for the sun and the warm weather. I'll admit I do miss it a bit, however as I realized right around Thanksgiving, my favorite season has to be winter.

I know that is slightly crazy, however growing up in Wyoming has helped in some ways. Another thing that makes me love winter (beside good food, comfy clothes, and hot chocolate) is the snow. I will take it in any way possible. If that means as big flakes we catch on our noses, or maybe snowmen, or snowball fights! It's the best.

The thing that takes the cake for me? The fact that this is the only time of the year when I get to go out and ski. Strapping those two pieces of wood (or more accurately fiberglass) to my feet and flying down the face of a mountain is a beautiful exhilarating feeling. I was an alpine racer for five years, all throughout middle school. I quit because I just didn't weigh enough to compete in my age group, hitting puberty late isn't always a blessing in disguise.

The last few years have been hard to go out and hit the slopes. I feel like I'm constantly busy, but this last weekend was beautiful. I was able to grab my friends and go out to the mountain. I can't tell you how much I missed those awful boots. Or the bulky clothes. It was a total powder day, I helped a friend learn to ski for the first time, so we didn't go on too many challenging runs, but by the end of the day she was doing amazing and I had the best time!

Here we are above ready to head out for the day!

After living on a hill every weekend from September to March for five years, and then not being able to actually ski for the last two it has killed me. I will definitely be going out to Snowy Range again. They had really reasonable lift prices, and the renting for my two friends wasn't bad at all. I liked how the lodge was set up too, it reminded me of my little one chair ski hill I learned on.

If you want to go find a great place nearby I can't recommend it more!! It honestly is one of my favorite sports of all time. The fact that I get to watch my team on the TV skiing my favorite events makes this February even better.

Loves
WyoBelle

P.S. The 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City? Yep, I grew up 2 hours away from there. Went to a few events, and when I raced I was on the Snowbasin Alpine Team. In otherwords where the men's/women's downhill events took place!

Spring Recruitment

Hey all, this last month has gotten beyond busy. I feel like every time I'm ready to catch my breath life gets in the way. Does this happen you?

Any who, this week and next week are Spring Recruitment for the sororities! It's a great time. Having gone through spring recruitment myself I can tell you it is a very different critter from fall. Much more relaxed, events at different houses and you get to pick and choose which one matches up best with your schedule. You also get the chance to go over to lunch or dinner at the houses. Basically its an open house and you are welcome whenever. I love this time.

Last week I tabled for Greek Life and they have the best flyers this year.  However I think that my favorite picture that perfectly summarizes up the next week is the one below.

If you or anyone you know wants to find out more about UW Greek Life you can find out more here. I hope everyone is having a great week!

Loves

WyoBelle

P.S. Don't forget there is a Poetry Slam happening at the Union at eight o'clock!!

Getting back into the swing of things

Alright I'm staring week two back at UW. And can I just say I am already exhausted?

I thought that a new semester would be easing back in, especially since I am officially moved into the Chi O house. That was the only new thing I had, back to class, back to work. That first week was beyond crazy however, I had so much going on. First off we at the paper were preparing for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, also known as equality day here in the Equality State. And secondly I got initiated this weekend! I am officially a full Chi Omega.

Now that the whirlwind week has died down I'm falling back into the swing of things. Study habits have reared their ugly head telling me that I am trying to go for all A's this semester, and that means putting time in. This has reaffirmed by love in Spotify! I just love it, especially when looking up movie scores to study to. I have been way way to addicted to all things Frozen lately. It is simply the cutest movie! I love that Disney has been stressing the importance of family love before anything else. It makes me super happy.

Hope you all have had a great first week back at classes, can't wait to see what this semester has in store! Check out the Days of Dialogue on campus there is a lot of really inspiring stuff going on! Remember that there is a basketball game tonight in the AA and this Friday at seven in the Feildhouse there is a wrestling tournament, and it's a Greek competition to see which house can get the most people there!

Check out the schedule of events here!

How was your first classes? Anything special happen to you in this first week back? 

Love
WyoBelle

Happy New Year

It's been eons, and I feel awful. For the last week I kept getting the nagging feeling that I should just log on and explain.

After midterms I got extremely busy, classes got harder and work was beyond crazy. Every time I thought about going to write, I wanted to fall asleep instead. Right before thanksgiving I got bad news. I had a death in the family someone I was very close to. I threw me way way off kilter.  Since then all I wanted to do was see family. We had the funeral this last Saturday and I'm finally starting to feel back to normal, I've mourned and I know that I need to get back on track. I didn't do as hot in my finals as I should have. I put the hours in before but right around finals week I just couldn't concentrate.

But it's a new year and I really want to start fresh. I've been looking at some really inspirational posts, pictures, and ideas for the new year. My favorite thing would have to be have a jar for all the moments you want to remember, just stick a note in and at the new year read through them all.

I just feel like this is going to be a good year, and I really am excited. I want to make this year one with no regrets, and to go after what I want. I feel like TV can suck us in and we obsess over the characters more than our own lives. I can say that I definetly fan girl over somethings, but I am also going to be active in my own life. You know Nike's phrase Just Do It? I totally agree with that, I don't mean just physical stuff, but everything. I want to go out and do whatever I want, staying grounded and getting what needs to be done done and then pursuing my life.

So go out pursue what you believe in and make 2014 an amazing year, because life truly is what you make it. You'll be hearing from me lots more, and I hope to hear from some of you.

How was your 2013? What are you planning on doing in 2014? 

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season, happy New Year!
-Wyobelle

Advising Week

Guess what happens next week? Advising week. Goodness I feel like I've been waiting for this since the beginning of October, but that's only because I like to be way way overprepared. As an Honors student we get priority registration, meaning that the normal advising week is when we actually register.

I can't tell you how confused I was the first time I went in for advising, although I had everything I needed I wasn't ready to talk to my advisor. He was great, and everyone I've talked to has a great adivsor. They know their stuff and know what you're going through and the best classes to take. However for them to help you to their fullest extent there are several things we need to bring in as students.

1) Degree Evaluation - for UW students its under the student resources tab Wyoweb. This shows you what you need to complete your major, your minor, and what you've already completed. I check this regularly especially when trying to figure out GPA and class standing.

2) List of classes you want to take and a tentative schedule - Seriously this may be the most important part. The new class list is up, as of last Thursday, so you can see what classes are available and what times. Having a few schedules that you'd be okay with having next semester is a good idea. Also not all classes are offered every semester.

3) Anything extra to help you plan - As a Political Science Major I know that the only place I go to look for advising information is in the Political Science Advising Page. Almost all majors have a little something different to help those going in for advising. Try and knock out some USP's (Gen ED) because if you haven't covered all of them by senior year you don't get to graduate.

If you have all this you will fly through your advising session and walk out with your PERC number ready to sign up for classes when your slot opens.



Extra tips I've found useful:

• Register as soon as you can, seriously getting up at that 7 am sign up may mean getting into the class you need for the semester. Last year we had a class fill up in under 5 minutes. Not all classes are like this, but remember there are only a limited amount of spots and you have to make it work with what you get.
• When making your schedule remember that it's not just the classes you can take, its putting in time to study and time to relax and eat! If you're a morning person take early classes, if you doze in the after noon think of that. If you want to look for a job schedule around those hours. This will be your life next semester, will you be happy with it?
• Have a back-up plan, and a back-up-back-up plan. If your first class doesn't work out you want a list of others right next to you that you can work with as well.
• Breathe, its not that scary and it won't kill you. I may seem terryfing but its the first step to figuring out life, somewhat, on your own.
• Take a lighter class, one that you can slack off in a little, or will look forward to everyweek. If you take all heavy classes, that is when students tend to burnout and drop classes. It can be a fun one! I'm taking Zumba for my PE credit this semester and last semester I had beginning acting. Its a great release and way to help motivate you. 

- Wyobelle

P.S. I've done this a few times and have it pretty much figured you, if you need help or just want to talk let me know!! Wyobelle1@gmail.com