my frwiendz

The past 4.5 years, I have been completely blessed by an amazing group of friends. Even miles apart, we have managed to stay in touch & continue to bless each others' lives. I can only speak for myself when I say that these girls make it so easy for me here but at the same time so difficult as well. The other day on Pinterest, yes Pinterest, someone pinned a saying from Winnie the Pooh! that read, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." For me it is not something or 1 significant other, but rather a solid group of friends. Super cheesy, I know but it is my blog so I can be. To each of my girls, I thank you for the countless viber messages, FB inboxes, tweets, FaceTime chats {aka thank you social media & applications}, letters, VISITS!, & that is probably it. 

Thank you for blessing my life, supporting me, praying for me, encouraging me and more. I have missed you more than you know but am so grateful for the friendships that I will physically return to in 12 days in ALABAMA and hopefully regain some of that Southern twang that has seemed to left my speech while living here. ROLL TIDE & enjoy this flashback through the glory days. <3 cate

                

 

brookelyn baby

Last summer, my bestie, Phi Mu sister/ twin, and college roommate, Brooke, got married. I was, of course, SO happy for her and Dale and had an absolute blast at their wedding but was so concerned I would lose touch with my bestie. I could not have been more wrong. Thank goodness for technology because it has allowed me to talk to her, see their new house, & even meet their new pup {my god-pup, Polo}. Brooke and I have been attached since we both received bids from Phi Mu our sophomore year and she encouraged me to get more involved in the process. Brooke is now a special ed teacher and I know that she has positively influenced every kid she has taught! She is so positive, funny, lively, organized, beautiful, kind, thoughtful and much much more. Thank you Brooke for sending me messages and always answering my FaceTime calls!!

Brooke & I at our first Phi Mu event!

Practicing our facials before Step Sing! 

Bikers & Babes party. We were ready to party. 

Another picture with my pretty roomie before formal. 

Brooke and I in Paris together! 

Last semi & Brookelyn was my date! So Prettay!

And this is the only picture I got with the Bride-to-Be before her wedding! haha

She's an American girl

Moving to London, I was solely concerned about friends. May sound weird but as a girl, that was one of my biggest concerns. I knew my school was going to be super international and loved that about it but had some thoughts that everyone would be so different and if I could just have one person, I would be okay. Well God definitely planned it all out and with that, gave me another American! Carolyn has been such a blessing in my experience in London and I tell her that often!

Carolyn and I went to the Vienna Opera House in Wien! This is Carolyn's 'Opera' face!

Carolyn has provided me with the ability to talk about things we miss including all of our favorite foods and participate in holidays like Thanksgiving and even watch those cheesy shows we love like 'The Bachelor/ Bachelorette'. We have had weekly viewing parties for both! It has been amazing. She was also the official planner of my trip to Morocco and did a fabulous job. Carolyn has helped me in school, life, & now maybe even career. Carolyn is a strong activist in me staying in London with her and has encouraged my interviews as well as helped me prepare. She is a great friend and I am so thankful for her.

Afternoon tea at The Wolseley!

And us being awkward in Sweden! Classic. 

10 Days of Thankfulness

So I am 10 days away from being home {new house but same Graham Fam} & I thought that I would update my blog every day with someone I am thankful for and have greatly missed/ have had the pleasure of meeting while being in London.

1st and Foremost, My Parents.

 

As you can imagine, it takes extraordinary parents to support, encourage, finance, visit, skype, learn the British lingo, & much much more.

My parents have been perfect. Happy when I was excited and there for me when I missed home and America. I definitely could not live here without Mama Joy and Papa Crol! Love y'all!

Dad and me at a Duke Basketball game! 

Mama Joy and me striking a pose on Easter Sunday. 

& 1 year later {continued}

 



Amazing girls trip to Amsterdam! I love this city. Even in the winter and highly recommend it! It was actually so cold that all of the canals were frozen over

Carolyn's Birthday!!

 


 

So glad my parents were able to come visit me! We had a great time driving around the south of England. Especially this cute little town of Weymouth. & of course, Mama Joy made friends with a pup.


MOROCCAN PARADISE

 

 
 

France! So thankful to have gotten to go to France twice this summer and stay with Natalie and her mom and pup. It was such a relaxing holiday.

 

Diamond Jubilee Excitement in London & Windsor!

 

OLYMPIC-ness around London!

 

 

SWEDEN--> final trip before 'Merica!

 

 

And Coach K!!

Although, I have seen some amazing places and traveled a lot, I have also spent plenty of time in the Library, at a desk, in front of my computer reading and writing! Good times.

11 Days till I am home!