My Return to Campus

Back in June, I got the chance to head back to my alma mater and one of my absolute favorite places on earth.  There is something about Stillwater that just feels like home to me and probably always will.  I was able to go and speak at a meeting for cattle producers on campus and took full advantage of the opportunity to see some old friends and take a little run around campus.

After the program, I met up with SoulMate Friend and her precious family for dinner, dessert, and walking around downtown.  Then, we headed to campus where her boys had an absolute blast running around Library Lawn.  It made me super excited to take BB and LL and let them go wild one day as well!

SoulMate Friend and I met 13 years ago at OSU
and I'm not sure what I'd do without her friendship!

This is my professional "10 years ago I graduated, today I'm back
speaking here for my job" photo.

What better location for LL's 20 week bump photo?

So back in the olden days (12 years ago), Dave proposed to Kelly right here on this bench.
They them promptly came to my house to share the news.  We had to do a family photo on
said bench.  

The next morning, I decided to do a run around campus.  I was quite proud of my ability to run from the stadium clear across to Ag Hall and then down around to end things at the Union.  Somehow, I managed to not save any of the photos I got for my Snap Chat tour of campus except the first one...

Boone Pickens Stadium

On my way back, I took a stroll by our old abode.  Back in the day, I really thought we lived in a super nice place.  Turns out, it's kinda a dump?  Not really a dump, but it's sure not fancy.  It was, however, close to campus, had the comfiest couch, and was always filled with the best people. I  wouldn't trade those years in that place for anything!

And there you have it.  Almost 10 years to the day after I donned my cap and gown to walk across the stage and then proceeded to leave town with tears in my eyes, I was back right where it all began.

Go Pokes!

To the Girls Living in Our College Apartment

To the Girls Living in Our College Apartment,

Welcome to Stillwater, Oklahoma, the happiest place on earth!  And welcome to that little two bedroom apartment with dark green carpet, a couch named Snuggles, and wood paneling.  It's not fancy.  There are no granite counter tops or marble shower or hard wood floors.  Moving in this time of year is hot, humid, and kind of miserable. 

But that little home on Duck Street holds many a memory for me, and I can only hope that when you dawn your cap and gown and walk out that screen door to your graduation, you can say the same.

Some of the most fun moments I've ever had started in that house.  College Roomie became my best friends.  The epic Calf Fry weekend of 2006 began in that living room.  Law school acceptance letters were celebrated.  Beds were jumped on.  Hangovers were nursed.  Tornadoes were avoided in the bathtub under a mattress. A natural gas explosion nearly occurred.  Half of the ag college did homework there.  We sold electricity to tailgaters out the back window.  BFF slept a lot on Snuggles. Icing was eaten out of a can.  More than once.  Lots of 21st birthday candles were blown out.

Some of my most heartbreaking days occurred there as well.  It was there I got a phone call that my brother's 15 year old best friend had been killed.  And it was there I went to mourn the next day when one of my dearest friends and his father were killed in a separate accident.  What we thought was love turned out to not so much be.  I watched the coverage for hours in St. Peter's Square as Pope John Paul II was dying. Those walls saw lots of tears, heard lots of prayers, and offered a place for healing.

So, take care of that apartment for us, will you?  Enjoy your time there.  If you'll let her, she'll help shape who you are and prepare you for where you're headed.

Welcome home (and don't leave the gas on....),
Tiffany

A Tribute to our Alma Mater

The girls and I sort of have a signature photo.  A tribute, of sorts, to the school that brought us together.  We've taken this picture in a variety of situations.  Drunken nights at the Copper Penny.  Wine tasting trips in Napa.  Post-half marathon races.  On top of Lombard Street.  At birthdays.  Bachelorette parties.  And, as of late, the post has appeared at a lot of weddings. 


Homecoming - Stillwater - A long time ago...



Girls Weekend - San Francisco  - 2008

My birthday weekend - Albuquerque - 2010

Half Marathon Weekend - San Francisco - 2012

LOKG's Wedding - Tulsa - 2012

College Roomie's Bachelorette Party - Santa Fe - 2013



BOKG's Wedding - Oklahoma City - 2014



My Wedding - New Mexico - 2014

I'm a believer in the idea that you find your best friends at college.  These girls are the reason why.  Go Pokes!

Throwback Thursday #64: OSU Mock Trial Team

My senior year of college, I was on the mock trial team.  We weren't very good, but man alive did we have fun.  And made some great friendships with people who I otherwise might never have known at OSU!  After getting to see one of my teammates last week for the first time in about 8 years, I realized I had to share some pictures of our major mock trial trip!  We went to a tournament in Dallas in the spring of 2006.  We won a round or maybe two.  College Roomie won an award for being one of the best witnesses in the competition.  And I kick myself for not having a blog then to remember all of the funny stories.  It was a great experience with even better people!

The team at Regionals

We may not have been Olympic material...

Team Dinner

Little bit of a flat tire adventure.

We may have been better here than in the courtroom.

College Roomie and I

Girls and the skyline

College Roomie, Trey and I
 

Skating at the Galleria

 



So....what do we say kids?  Team reunion??

 




Playing Catch Up...Homecoming at OSU

"Different faces, same tradition."  ~OSU Homecoming House Dec

I realized that I have failed to blog about some super fun events that have happened this fall, so this week, I'm playing some catch up over the next few weeks.  We'll kick things off with homecoming at OSU. 

We had big plans for a five-some of Blonde Oklahoma Girl, her boyfriend Real Cowboy, Loud Oklahoma Girl, the Boy from Texas, and me to spend the weekend in Stillwater.  Plus, BOKG and I were super excited to finally have boyfriends to hold our hands at Walkaround (it's a dream that all OSU girls have, just go with it, it's hard to explain.)  Well, as it turned out, The Boy from Texas didn't get to come---long story involving his job, a truck breaking down, and a two truck not arriving for like 6 hours---so I guess I'll have to keep him around until next year to get my Walkaround date.  Luckily, Real Cowboy filled in and took pictures with us both!

 

Walkaround was freezing, but we really enjoyed the house decs, which I am going to say were maybe the best I've seen!  We hit up the Penny but realized that we may have outgrown the loud, smokey, crowded bar scene.  Plus we saw a total of 2 people we knew, making us pretty sure we have aged out of the fun.  All of our friends were putting babies to bed.  The next day we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the game and eat a lot of completely unhealthy, but tasty food.

We finished up the weekend staying at BOKG's house and watching LOKG's brother calf rope at the Turquoise Circuit Finals.  I do love me a good rodeo, and even though he didn't catch, we were proud of him!

Headed into the box

LOKG's adorable mama

 And after the rodeo we hung out at BOKG's house and played Apples to Apples, had a huge, unhealthy breakfast the next morning, and all headed back to the real world.  I love coming home to Stillwater!

 

In Case You Missed It....

"It’s a euphoria you can’t buy and you can’t manufacture and you can take this win (with you) for the rest of your life.” ~Glenn Spencer (our defensive coordinator)


....  Pokes Win, Pokes Win!!

Last Saturday Cousin Swiss Mister and I were sworn, mortal enemies when his beloved Bears took on my Pokes on the football field.  (Sadly since he lives in Switzerland and I was busy studying for the bar, we didn't get to attend in person, but here are some flashback shots at prior events each dressed in our respective favorite colors!)

 

I am happy to report that the good guys came out on top (in dominating style) and the final score was 49-17.

 

 So now we have a week off to eat some turkey and get ready for the Bedlam battle against OU.  A win gets us the Big 12 Championship and a BCS bowl game.  The last time that was on the line at Bedlam ended up being one of the three most exciting sporting events of my life.  Here's to that happening again!

 

 

Throwback Thursday #63: Homecoming in Stillwater

"Stillwater has a population of thousands, but is home to millions." 

Hallelujah, kids, it's Homecoming in Stillwater!  SO excited to be headed northbound 35 to meet up with 50,000 orange-clad faithful to celebrate our love for Oklahoma State.  In honor of this big event (which will also be The Boy from Texas' first time to attend the festivities!), I wanted to share a few photos of homecomings past.

I swear I don't know how he was ever that little!

Famous NY, NY kickline

 

 

Happy Homecoming and Go Pokes!!