The end of an era

Well here we are b's and g's, the time is here. The time that there are officially no residents in 1532. For those of you who haven't been keeping up on my twitter(@maddmck...follow me), 1532 is the apartment that my best friend Amanda (@akhorn) have been living in for the past 2 years and that @hfwood got to experience living in this summer. We moved in almost exactly 24 months ago and tonight is my very last night. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it.

As I've been packing up my things and cleaning everything out, I've had a lot of time to think. It seems like yesterday that we were hauling everything up the 3 flights of stairs and going to wal mart twice a day and here we are all moved out. Crazy how time flies. So many wonderful things have happened here-birthday parties, kitchen talks, tv watching, boyfriends, dogs, you name it its happened. While we may not have been known for thowing raging parties until all hours of the night (that was apparently 1531's job) we were always here if you ever needed a quiet getaway from all your roommates. You could always come to the tranquil 2 bedroom. I have to say that I will def miss it. As much as I have hated climbing up and down those dang stairs day after day, I have truely loved this place.

Not only does this mark the last night in this apt, it also marks a time when its officially time for me to accept I am a 5th year and am starting a new chapter in my life. I had the pleasure of attending Amanda and Wes Geier's wedding last weekend and enjoy some time with all of my best friends. On the drive home I finally realized this is how it is going to be. Everyone has started the next phase of their life and I am so incredibly excited and proud of each of these girls and cannot wait to see where these roads take them. It's time. Time for life to happen. Am I ready? Nope. Do I accept it excitedly? Yes.

So ends an era. An era that I have been comfortable with for the past 4 years and it's time for me to accept what's happening and do the best I can. I have one goal for this next year: go to Cali, meet a celeb, and start working for E! asap. Doi.

"Big crown I'm gonna win for my mama" -Teeghan

Well b's and g's it's time for my thoughts on a small little thing called pageants, specifically toddler pageants. As Hay and I sit here enjoying our evening full of corndogs, kum & go, and sytycd I realize it's time for my fav TLC show Toddlers & Tiaras. I feel as though I can admit it to you that this is my guilty pleasure. Being a pageant queen myself (Maple Leaf Queen '03 baby) I enjoy the thought of little girls getting all dressed up and being cute on stage. Well folks, if you think that's what this show is about, you are terribly wrong. Todd's & Ti's is more about the mother living vicariously through their young daughters because they're too old-and out of shape-to live out their own shelfish dream. It is just sick.

The first time you watch this show, you'll probably wonder what trailer park all of these families are living in, don't be fooled. That is just the "southern hospitality" that the judges are looking for. If these 1-4 year olds don't have an accent so thick you can't even tell what they're saying then they might as well have forgot their flippers (fake teeth worn by the contestants who are usually missing their baby teeth). Along with the flippers, these babies are expected to get spray tans, full makeup, and hair pieces. This is such a joke.

Another thing about these mothers is that they'd rather their family go in debt than for their children not have a glitz dress. As defined by a coach tonight, a glitz dress is anything with stones on it. Some of these dresses can cost up to $2,000. Are you serious?? That's more than my class this summer is costing my parents. What parent in their right mind would pay 2 grand for a dress PER DRESS and do 3-4 pageants a month. That's around $8,000 a month and that's just the dresses. That doesn't include makeup, tanning, hair extensions, shoes, accessories, the 3 other outfits they need for the show, as well as travel and entry costs. These children are 3 years old and their parents are spending most likely around $10,000 a month on them to do pageants. Seriously? I got my dress at JCPenny's for $20 and it had stones on it. Get it together moms.

I close with a convo actually heard on T & T's tonight:
Crazy mom: "Who's crown is it?"
Brainwashed daughter: "Yours!"
CM: "And who's gonna win it?"
BWD: "Me!"
CM: "You gotta win that crown for mommy because she wants it."

I have nothing else to say.

I just want my Cheerios

Well I have to admit when I let to readers vote on what they wanted me to write about I had already pretty much made the decision to write about Twilight Mania. It's just too easy to make fun of, I couldn't resist. And since I want to work for Chelsea Handler I figure the more of my material she has to look at the better, so here goes.

I first heard about Twilight a few years ago when youngsters everywhere started posting about it on FB. I figured it was the next Harry Potter craze and having gone through the phase back when I was in Elementary school, I assumed it was nothing for me to get excited about. Boy was I wrong. As I walked around campus over the next few weeks I started realizing that people my age were reading the books. Not only were they reading the books, they were talking about it, posting about it, and yes, even making shirts. I mean are we seriously picking teams on who we like better where our choices are a vampire and a werewolf? First of all neither of these things actually exist. I don't know if people realize this but there are no such things as vampires with diamond skin and hot guys that turn into werewolves. Phew, I needed to get that off my chest.

As things usually do, I figured that the craze would die down once everyone read all the books and moved on to thinking the toothfairy was real. Wrong again. There I was minding my own business when I hear the words I had been dreading..."The Twilight Saga will be made into a movie. Bella will be played my Kristen Stewart, Edward played by Rob Pattinson, and Jacob portrayed by Taylor Lautner." Oh geez. At this point no one really knew who any of these people were, including myself. If I would have known that K-Stew was actually the princess of darkness and R-Patz was a spitting image of the folk here on library lawn I would have moved out of the country. All you have to do to get a part in Hollywood these days is to awkwardly hold your body in a hunched over position, not wash your hair for weeks at a time, and act like you don't care that you're making a million bucks a movie about freaking vampires?? I can do that. Hire me.

Aside from hiring the worst actors of all time to play supernatural creatures, you can't walk in any store without seeing shirts, hats, sunglasses, posters, and shampoo (yes, I am serious) that have one of the vamp/wolf faces on them. I would just like to do my grocery shopping in peace and not have to see Kristen's dirty scowl next to my Yogurt Burst Cheerios. No, I would not like to buy body wash that makes my skin sparkle like vampire skin, but thanks for making me hate Wal-Mart even more than I already do. And also if I fangs I would, wait who am I kidding? I would never want fangs. But the people to make plastic fangs seem to think most of America wants them seeing as how there is a whole aisle devoted to vampire gear.

Thank you Twilight, for not only taking away from my shopping experience, but for also taking up at least half of my E! News coverage. I don't need a 15 minute update every night that covers the exact same thing you covered yesterday and will undoubtably be covering again tomorrow. Now, I have to honest and say that I attempted to watch the first movie and then got distracted and couldn't finish it. I have yet to see the second but assume I will need to rent it before i go see the third installment that comes out next week since I refused to read the books. I need to see what all the fuss is about. If the movie is really as good as everyone says it is, I will personally retract everything I have written today and apologize to everyone who is a Twihard. So impress me Eclipse, because otherwise I don't think I'll be able to go to Wal-Mart anymore. And I really love those Cheerios.

Blah blah blah

It was brought to my attention last night by a friend of mine last that I haven't updated in awhile. While I have known this is true for the last couple of weeks I haven't really been in the mood. I've been quite busy living the life of a 5th year and honestly haven't wanted to. But things are changing now. Mad is back.

As some of you know, 6 of my best friends and I went to Gulf Shores, Alabama about a month ago and had a total blast. I mean it's really hard to beat waking up at 10 every morning, putting on a suit and literally stepping right onto the sand. The days consisted of sun and ocean and the nights consisted of too many quoteable moments to even count. Minus the 12+ hour car rides there and back (although we had the Swagger Wagon) it was an amazing time. I couldn't believe it was over and it was back to the real world after only a week.

Once back in Stillwater I proceeded to start my new job working for HES at OSU and helping with New Student Orientation. I'm also nannying the cutest little boy ever named Collier and loving it. I started my summer class last week and so far so good. I got the little girl I'm tutoring yesterday and am looking forward to working with her. Overall I can't complain.

My bff Hayley is also living with me this summer. After her and our other friends graduated I really wasn't looking forward to a summer alone in Stillwater, but then Hayley got the OK to stay a few more months. Hayley and I spent last summer together and while this summer is considerably less ridic I'm loving getting to spend a little bit of extra time with her. She's gotten me hooked on SYTYCD and is now the husband to my wife. The only complaint I have is that we can't get Kum & Go to deliver directly to our apartment. You'd think after going everyday they would comply to our every request. I need to talk to Harry about this.

I've also taken time this summer to catch up on some reading I've been wanting to do for awhile now but haven't had the chance to. I read both of Lauren Conrad's books-"LA Candy" and "Sweet Little Lies"-and I just finished Candance Bushnell's "The Carrie Diaries". It's still up for debate what I'll be reading next but I have some new options to choose from. I highly suggest all three of the books I've read so far if you want some mindless summer reads that will entertain you for the entire week it takes you to read each of them.

Well I think that's all the updates from my life for now. As for my next post I'm leaving it up to my readers to choose.
A.) Twilight mania
B.) Sandra Bullock
C.) Top summer songs
D.) could care less and wish I'd stop blogging altogether

Those are your choices...now vote so I can write!

I really need to be better at this

Well it seems as though I've let the public down again. The last couple of week have been absolutely ridic with trying to finish the semester up but it's finally done. Yes, that's right I just finished my senior year of college. I really can't believe it, maybe because I'm about to start my victory lap. Apparently I didn't get enough of good ol' OSU the first 4 years so why not make it an even 5, right?

While I can't say that I was ready to graduate and start my life off in the real world, I can say that I will miss the people I've met the last 4 years that are moving on to the next phase of their life. I've been trying for the past few weeks to think about how I can thank them for everything they've done for me and while I know writing about it isn't the most personal way to do it, I feel as though everyone who reads this should know what my friends have meant to me throughout my time in college.

When I came to OSU, I literally knew 2 people: my cousin and boyfriend at the time. I came from Carthage, Missouri where I had a very tight group of best friends that I'd had throughout my entire childhood. When I got accepted to OSU, I was so excited and knew that while I'd make new friends, the friends I'd had for 10 years previously would still be at home. Then my parents dropped the bomb: we were moving. Yes, that's right, when I would go home for a visit, it would be in a totally different town and state than what I had known for the past decade of my life. While at first I embraced this new phase of my life, I soon realized I knew no one and really grew sort of bitter about it. To make a very long story short, I hated college my freshman year and wanted nothing more than to move back to Missouri and go to school there.

My sophomore year was a totally different story. I approached it with a positive attitude and through my sorority and my current roommate, Amanda, began meeting a ton of new people and embracing the life of a college student. Over the next 3 years I would encounter people that would soon become my best friends. I cannot say enough about what Phi Lamb and the people I've met in Chickasha have done for me. That is one of the things I have loved about coming to school in Oklahoma, everyone is so friendly. I never have felt as though it was the people that were making my first year question my decision. I have to say that my junior and senior years of college have been the best years of my life. I have never in my life had the friendships or experiences with people that I have the past 2 years. I really can't believe that it's been 4 years and that it's already time for my best friends to graduate. While some have decided to go to grad school, others move for great job opportunities, and some even getting married! I couldn't be happier to call them my friends and wish them nothing but the best. I'm usually not an emotional person but I really am sad that they are graduating.

Samantha: Thank you for not thinking I was a total nut job when I basically begged you to be my friend. I'm not sure how you put up with me for as long as you did but I wouldn't have wanted to live on the 4th floor of Bennett with anyone else.

Nikki: Thank you for being my crazy "Mexican" friend who I bonded with at our pledge retreat. I always know that no matter how late I'm running, I still won't be the last one there. I love you for that.

Amanda D: Thank you for not judging me when I didn't stay with you the first night at jumpin' Jones. I know I can always count on you to have the most honest and perfect advice in any situation.

Kristen: Thank you for being Kristen ______ Richards! I have enjoyed every second I've known you and know if I ever need to talk Gilmore Girls, I can go to you.

Cash: Thank you for always making me laugh. Anytime I'm in a bad mood when I go to bed, I know there is a possibility I could wake up to a text message sent at 3:00 am that reads "doublecheeseburgerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

Hayley: Thank you for making summer 09 the best summer of my life. There is never such thing as TMI and I appreciate everything you have done for me and the hours you have been there for me.

And last but not least, Amanda H.: Thank you for being my wonderful roommate for the past 2 years. I can't believe we have never had a single fight as long as we have known each other and I really do consider you my sister. Thank you for sending me that facebook message my freshman year and inviting me to Chili's. You have no idea what your friendship has meant to me and I am so thankful that you extended your friendship toward me when you didn't even know me. 1532 forever.

Each of you have meant something special to me and I'm so grateful for the time I've known you. I wish you all the best of luck in the next phase of your life and can't wait to see where life take you. I less than 3 you (I <3>

Enough of this mushy stuff. See you at Joe's tonight?

One step closer

Well the day has come, the day where I start to reach celeb status amoung my peers. I really never did think that this day would ever arrive but last weekend it finally did.

Last Saturday was Mom's day so of course my mom was in town and we were about to head to our day's festivities when she asked the dreaded question..."Now Madison, what are you going to wear?" For some reason this thought had never occured to me as I was laying around just wanting to wear my pj's. Now don't get me wrong, I have a lot to wear. I have my favorite dresses that I seem to wear to every event and then those I've shoved to the back of my closet. Like any girl, I'm not wanting to wear the exact same thing I have any other year, yet I also want to wear something I'll enjoy and be comfortable in. So finally I decide on the dress that I wore for New Year's Eve this past year. "What are the odds of someone else wearing the exact same dress?" I think to myself. Well apparently the odds were 100% because I walk in and the first thing I hear is "Omg you and Emily Herrera have on the exact same dress! That's so cute!" Great...

So I make my way over to Emily and we start the circling around each other like cobras about to strike. Who wants to show up to an event in a dress that another girl also has on? Then it hits me, I could be in the who wore it better section in an Us Weekly. Oh.Em.Gee. I have never been so excited in my whole life to match someone. Now folks, this is where you come in handy...

Take a look over both of us. I chose to pair my dress with a black belt, animal print bracelets, and giraffe pumps. Hair is an non-issue for me as I just straightened it and wore it down. Now, Emily decided to go in a different direction: Black flats, full pearl bracelet, with a styled chin length bob. It's now up to you to decide who wore it better. I want you to be completely honest with me and if you think Emily wore it better VOTE FOR HER! This is one small step in the right direction for me so just being voted for is such an honor. Oh and Us Weekly, if you see this, please put me in your mag. I'm your biggest fan!

Liv and Gage

Liv woke up that morning just like she did every morning. Her alarm clock went off at 8:30, she turned on her tv to catch her morning shows, and then walked to the kitchen to start the always needed pot of coffee. As she waited to pour her first cup it suddenly hit her, “Gage was so mad at me last night before we went to sleep.” She had totally forgotten that they had a fight but it all hit her as soon as she had time to actually open her eyes. Like any normal college girl in a relationship, Liv hated fighting with her boyfriend. It was always over something stupid, at least according to him. “It’s funny how he always thinks it’s not a big deal, when really I’m over here losing sleep over it,” Liv thought to herself.

Liv and Gage had been together for awhile now and the fights had been happening more frequently lately. It was both of their senior years after all and seeing as though it was February, decisions needed to start happening. You see, Liv was from Oklahoma and Gage was from South Carolina. He had come to school because he wanted something different and Oklahoma seemed like just the place for that. The hadn’t wanted to face the reality that they were from totally different parts of the country but now that graduation was a mere 3 months away, reality seemed inevitable. It was never talked about, never mentioned, never dealt with…until last night.

After going to dinner together and heading back to her place, Gage had said the words that Liv was dreading hearing, “I think we should talk about what we’re going to do next year.” As soon as Gage said those words Liv had lost it. She loved him, she really did and she didn’t want to lose him. Walking back to her bedroom, trying to control the tears, Liv was a mess of confusion and mixed emotions. She had always planned on trying to find a job close and getting her feet on the ground before moving off somewhere. She didn’t necessarily want to live at home, but having her parents close by seemed like a good option at this point in her life especially because she still wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do. Gage was the same way, except for the fact that home for him was on the East Coast, not the Midwest.

The discussion had started at 9:00 pm with the fight starting promptly at 9:13 pm. Both Liv and Gage had tempers that battled each other, neither one wanting to back down. Gage was proposing the idea that she move out to South Carolina with him. She could easily get a job out there, get her own apartment, and start a new life for herself. And then, when the time was right, they would get married and start their new life together. While this all sounded good to her, Liv wasn’t sure she wanted to leave the comfort of a life she had known for 22 years behind. To her, this statement meant that she needed time to think and discuss this before making an actual decision. To Gage, this meant that she didn’t love him and wasn’t going to do it. The fight had gone on like this for three hours and finally Liv had just told him that if he wasn’t going to calm down and listen to her reasoning, he could just go. So, there she was in her kitchen at 8:39 on Monday morning. Alone and waiting for the coffee pot to fill.

What awoke Liv from reliving last night’s events more than the silence of the coffee finished brewing was the distant sound of her cell phone. Gage’s ringtone sounded through the house as she ran back to room to grab the phone before it went to voicemail. “Hello?” Liv said breathlessly as she pressed the green phone on her keyboard. “Liv I am so sorry. I hate that we fought and didn’t sleep at all last night. We’re going to work everything out. We have three months and more than two options to work with here. Please can we just forget that last night even happened?” Gage was good. He always did this. Pushing things that couldn’t be pushed away under the rug. More than anything she wanted to forget that last night happened but for how long could they just ignore the inevitable? “Sure babe, everything is fine. I overreacted and shouldn’t have. We’re fine though.” Liv knew things weren’t fine but more than making things fine she wanted them to have a good day and a good rest of the semester. They had to treasure every moment they had with each other and if that meant moving past discussions and decisions that needed to happen, then that was how it was going to be. “Have a good day today,” Liv said, “we’ll talk on my lunch break. I love you.” After they hung up, Liv finished getting ready for her long day she had ahead of her and walked out the door. The feeling in the pit of her stomach had not gone away though. And she had a feeling, it was going to be about three months before it did.