Last Words

I do not exercise. EVER. Like really, it just doesn't happen. I will avoid it at all cost. Am I'm not exaggerating. I've been blessed with being tiny my entire life without watching what I eat or stepping foot in a gym. Dance and cheerleading gave me enough exercise growing up without any extra effort. Yes, yes, I know. Exercising is good for you and all that mess. I just avoid it.

I just got talked into doing P90X.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, call for help. I may not survive.

Settling In

So I've officially been in NC for a few days now! If I thought packing was going to be the death of me, unpacking was way worse. I really hate unpacking. Heck, I even dislike putting away the laundry. But I am (mostly) unpacked and settling into a new place! I've had a blast these last few days (with the exception of unpacking, seriously).

So far I've had a pool day where we grilled out, a day of painting the room red, a night out in Raleigh (yes, I turned 21 in June so don't worry..not breaking any laws!) :) and a day out in downtown Raleigh. I even drove downtown!! If you know me, I have super high anxiety about driving in new places- especially cities since I'm from a small town that doesn't even have a stop light. I went and explored campus, found my parking deck, and got my new student ID. When I walked up to the desk where they issue the cards, I told them I needed a student ID and handed her my license. She got a REALY confused look on her face (I guess because I showed up in the computer as an 'exchange student') and asked me if I was a foreign exchange student because she's never met one who talked as southern as me. After I explained I was from USC (the real one in SC) seriously like three guys working there jumped up to take my picture for the card & print it out. As soon as I walked back there is was like an interrogation of USC baseball. Thankfully I've gone to the game my entire life and was able to hold the conversation & answer their questions! I even learned something new... Ray Tanner went to and played at State and later coached there. According to one of the guys, he left because NCSU wouldn't build him a new stadium with lights. Looks like we got the good end of that deal, National Championships and a gorgeous stadium!

I have a lot more to say but I have to finish getting ready and Abby wants to go outside (she's so demanding). I'm going to the movie tonight with some people to see the new batman movie (finally)!

From SC to NC...

I'm Caitlyn and I'm currently a senior psychology major at USC! This semester I'm participating in a student exchange and will be attending NC State! You'll be able to follow my life over the next six months as I move out of state for the first time. In this blog I'll most likely talk about the differences I notice between the Carolinas, probably some stories of me getting lost in Raleigh, and heck- even getting lost on campus! You think USC's campus is big? It's maybe half of NCSU. (So there will probably be a few blogs of me complaining about having to walk too much.) Oh & you'll most likely hear about my sweet little Abby a lot too! Yes, I am one of those people that makes my dog wear cute outfits, raincoats, and bows. You'll learn to live with it- she has!

Over the summer I took a weekend vaca to NC to check out the campus, try to figure out where my classes were so I didn't look like a lost freshman, and explore the city! I've already learned a few things from my trip just from a weekend visit...

1.  EVERYTHING on campus is made of bricks. Yes, EVERYTHING. It's ridiculous. Like sidewalks, benches, even random sculptures. Obviously all the buildings as well. I learned from a friend that apparently there's some alumni who donates bricks to the school every single year (some ridic amount of bricks) and as long as the school uses every single one, they'll keep getting the donation. When they don't use them all, the donation will stop. Not sure how true this is, or if I even told the story right, but I'll be sure to find out when I get there!

2. NC does not know how to make sweet tea like SC. I will be keeping a list of all the places that have acceptable sweet tea. What can I say? I've been spoiled with my extremely sweet sweet tea all my life and I'm picky! SINS. 

3. Everyone that I've spoken with on campus (while trying to figure out parking, credits, hours, classes, and schedules) has been ridic nice & extremely helpful! They've gone out of their way to help in any way possible. Not saying any names but that's one thing a few people on our campus could learn from NCSU... Where's the southern hospitality SC?! We need to step it up.

And finally....

4. People in NC do not get nearly as excited as we do in Columbia when "Wagon Wheel" is played. This made me sad. I'm not sure when the obsession began in SC but I'll just have to look ridiculous this semester when I'm singing/screaming the lyrics at the top of my lungs all alone. Oh well.