TCP

Confessions of a College Prepster- Day 0



Please note, this is the FIRST installment of a fictional series I will be including on my blog weekly! Comments and feedback are encouraged!

The moving boxes have all been packed. Packed is definitely the way I would describe the cardboard cubes at this point. Dad is only allowing me to pack six boxes, in addition to three duffle bags, and two rolling suitcases. What he doesn’t understand is that I have already cut down my shoe collection to 35 pairs. Confession: It’s really 40, but I’m considering my Jack Rogers sandals as half since they’re flat, Shhh! What he also doesn’t understand is that I simply cannot make my bed without four pillows: one sham, one monogrammed regular pillow, one European sham, and one decorative pillow. I know Mom understands because she taped up the bulging boxes while I squeezed the flaps closed as tight as I possibly could.

I’ve carefully folded my polos, shift dresses, critter shorts, and cardigans to minimize wrinkles. Dad doesn’t understand that I need to bring my four navy sweaters; they’re most certainly not the same. Mom understands because she helped me hide another one inside my black pea coat. Confession: I hid a fifth one in my right Hunter Wellington. As I watch my once color-coded and fully stocked closet dwindle to a mere skeleton, I vow not to gain the proverbial, and dreaded, Freshman 15. I love my collection of J. Crew shorts too much to not be able to fit into them.

Just as I’m rolling my hair ribbons into perfect, tight curls, Dad walks in, and with more than a slight disappointed tone, grumbles, “Addie…” I absolutely cannot stand it when people call me Addie.

“My name is Adelaide, Dad.”

“I thought we talked about your hair ribbons.”

“Hair bows are my signature.”

He’s worried that I will be thought of as child if I wear my grosgrain ribbons around my smooth ponytails. Mom and Dad both agree that I should have ditched my bows around the age of six. I not-so-politely roll my eyes, and continue to manage the sea of ribbons I’m sitting in.

* * *

The six moving boxes, three duffel bags, and suitcases have overtaken every free square inch of the Volvo. Confession: There are really seven boxes; I simply could not part with my personalized stationery, my six photograph albums, or all four editions of my high school yearbook. Dad, as expected, comments that when Preston (my older, yet much more immature, brother) went to State University, he only brought two duffels.

While most of my friends are attending State University, I am venturing across three state borders to study at Fitzgerald College in Virginia. I will certainly miss the balmy, year-long-summer state that is Florida. I guess technically Virginia is still the south, but it’s a big trip north for me.

Before we even hit the road, Dad, Mom, and I debate over which radio station will be played. Within two minutes of leaving the driveway, I stick my earphones into my ears, scroll through my pale pink iPod, and attempt to drone out whatever it is Dad considers music.

My mind wanders. First, I make a mental list of all the things I’m going to miss. Once the list exceeds number 126, I decide I should stop, as tears have begun to smudge my brown (never black) mascara. My friends, parents, and bed are at the top of my “I’ll Miss List.”

After I count exactly seven red vehicles, twelve semi-trucks, and forty-one palm trees, I decide to stop wallowing and to start my “I’m Excited For List.”

  1. New friends
  2. Football games
  3. Fitzgerald College Boat Club
  4. Boys…

I don’t get much farther than number four. Confession: I’m a little boy crazy.

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17 Comments

Natty

I love the new blog design!
I usually read on Reader but popped over to comment on your post. I like the story, youre a very good writer, clear and interesting, can't wait to read more 🙂
but I do think the character seems a little childish for someone college aged (and that has nothing to do with the ribbons, which I continue to wear past my college years)

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Betsy

Where did the name Adelaide come from??? It certainly is a ficticious name…and…where are you planning to go on with this??? Just kind of seems out of character at this point! I really would prefer to keep up with your usual pictures and college adventures….so please keep up with those posts while you are wring your fictictious story…it's more fun for me!!
Betsy

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Jordan

First, blog design= amaaaazing. Second, I loooove this story. I love reading, but this seems so cute. I wish it was going to be more than WEEKLY, but as a fellow college student I understand the lack of free time. Good luck. It's so good so far!

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Sweet, Sassy, Southern and Classy

Aw I love this! It's so fun! You are a great writer and I can't wait to see where it leads. I must say I am very intrigued in Adelaide. I may be a bit biased, but I think Adelaide is the best name ever. And she's totally right, "Addie" just won't cut it.

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Katie

I just was able to catch up on blogs today for the first time in almost two weeks! I love the new layout, and I am so excited for the next installment about Adelaide! You are a wonderful writer!

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