I'm not a professional Booger.

I've become the dreaded non-existent blogger. Yes, Heather, I failed to heed your warning and am now like you in that I never blog. I actually have a few topics and things I've thought about writing just never actually got around to the typing process. But alas, now there are no more breaks in the semester and I am forced to fall back into my routine but this time it will hopefully include blogs.

However, fair warning that as the semester draws closer to ending my work load and stress level continue to rise. Who knows what will become of my blogging capabilities....

So this is my apology for disappearing for awhile. You all can relax now, I'm back, with many stories to share, but for now I'm off to class....again.

Here is a random cartoon I've stumbled upon ironically while in the process of writing my resume...made me chuckle.

Taking a much needed break....

As to avoiding the disappointment you might experience, I would like to forewarn you that starting in about an hour I will be going without a phone or computer for a week. Yes, this means no new post for awhile. Sorry! I will be reading on the beach all week long and can't wait. Hopefully I will have eventful stories to share upon my return. I'm sure the ride down will be an adventure of its own! But for now I'm off to clean and pack for the journey to Vero Beach, FL. Grandparents here we come!

Here are a few pictures from last year, Spring Break, same time, same place. :)

*All photo credit: Jeff Varnon

Just one of those moments...

This was one of those days, but in Maryland. Not Illinois, don't be fooled.

*Photo Credit: Jeff Varnon

You know those days....when the weather is finally starting to get warm. There are people walking outside everywhere. Everyone is smiling and says hello, even if you have never met. Windows are open, it smells like spring. Your room is clean. And despite the fact your in all reality stressed to the max, have tons of homework to get done in the next few hours, including a complicated 8 page paper, worried about sick family members, hoping your brother did the dishes, freaking out about finding a job and a place to live with coming graduation. You can just sit down and happily think about how blessed you are to be in that very situation. A single college senior, enjoying life, semi-independent, loving sharing a house with a big brother for probably the last time, having a best friend-roommate one level up, 2 best friend-sisters always a phone or skype call away, a crazy best-friend-forever who understands everything about you, enough to skype just to be able to watch the Maryland-Duke game together, cup of coffee in hand, music on, and crazy week ahead. Just sitting enjoying the thought that this is life and I'm surviving.

It's one of those days :)

big brother

roomie Jess Westover

sisters

Best Friend Abby aka BFOTB

Chipotle Night!

To fully appreciate the amazingness of this story there are a few things you need to know. Mainly a few facts about this little town of Greenville, IL.

Now I suppose Greenville could qualify as your typical small mid-west town, with its lack of hills, monthly tornado alarm testing, presence of cows, trains, buffalo, a Federal prison, band uniform factory, not to mention the most amazing thrift store you've ever seen. (ask anyone, for some reason the people of Greenville have the best thrifty stuff!) Okay, well maybe Greenville isn't so typical.

Another fact of Greenville is that the restaurant options are... less than desirable. Clarification? Here's the list: KFC/Taco Bell(2 for 1!), Domino's (Carryout/Delivery only), Mabry's (hit or miss), Red Apple (I've never been), Brighties Dinner (heard it's not worth it), some gross Chinese establishment, a Mexican restaurant on the outskirts, Mario's (decent pizza), McDonalds (aren't we lucky something opened pass 9!), and of course TWO subways (cause one just isn't enough).
Now that you understand a little better about the food options in Greenville, you might be able to comprehend the brillance of Kyle Tomey's idea "Chipotle Night" (for some reason people kept saying Qudoba, but we all know Chipotle is far superior). The plan? Everyone bring one or two ingredients, gather in the Tower Apartments, prepare food, pray, eat, enjoy!

This plan was executed flawlessly, with the gathering of about 15-20 friends, we prepared a table complete with every ingredient in order to create the wonder that is the chipotle burrito, and the added bonus that most of it was homemade! Of course the evening was also filled with laughter and the hilarious game of catchphrase, or the game that makes us shout random hilarious one-liners that will never be forgotten Example: "A man who lacks courage?" "WOMEN!" (Sorry Brian)

Needless to say the entire evening was a great success, one that will hopefully become a monthly event. Although if it were up to me, we would do it weekly. Yes, I am one of those people who are perfectly content with eating Chipotle multiple times a week. It's just that good.

What's In A Name?

So you may have been wondering what my heading really means? And by heading I'm referring to the fact this entire blog is called "Soap Sista J". Well, you're in luck, here's the story:

Once upon a time there were three sisters. Now sometimes when these sisters got together craziness would ensue. One day the eldest of these three went off to college, leaving the younger ones the task of recreating the amount of crazy once filled by her presences. This task seemed looming but sisters were ready for the challenge.

Low and behold, one late night the hyperness and crazy began and as usual it was all sparked by a creative idea. This night began with the realization of a new profound connection between the two sisters, their middle names. Dawn and Joy, at that moment, became 'The Soap Sistas". This immediately spinned off into the official name of their newly formed band. And what is a band without any songs? Not a real band. Luckily the Soap Sistas creative flow is not limited to one night. Days, weeks, months, and even years later the Soap Sistas continue to write numerous hits, just waiting for the opportune moment to unveil them to the world. Lucky for you they have agreed to reveal select song titles from their collection:

1. We Have No Chicken Soup

2. Red Toes

3. Nazi Yahtzee

*and YES! these all are actually songs (with tunes and everything)

An amazing fact about the Soap Sistas is that they have learned to excel in all genre's of music; folk, techno, country, classical, jazz, rock, and even rap.

*Pictured right:

Kendra Joy Varnon aka

"Soap Sista J"

*Pictured left:

Heather Dawn Varnon aka

"Soap Sista D"

The one thing that has saddened these girls all these years is the lack of involvement of their eldest sister. With a middle name like Marie, it's hard to make her fit. Despite their pleas for her to change her name, Ivory, Cascade, and Palmolive just don't sound right.

And just in case you missed the connection the address to this blog is also dedicated to the first song written by The Soap Sistas We Have No Chicken Soup. That is the story of how I became Soap Sista J, maybe someday I'll share the individual stories of the songs.

And It Begins...

Okay, I'm finally here. So it's been some time since they've said anything, but there was a point in in my life when my sisters really wanted me to join them in this blogging adventure. Now not only do they get to read about all the crazy adventures I get myself into, but it also gives me a chance to experiment with some more graphic designing as well as practice my writing skills (aren't you proud Mom?) Exciting I know.

What finally made me decide to start a blog after all this time? Well, as I was doing the dishes this morning I was thinking about how crazy my college career has been, how many great stories I have, and how much I would have wished I would have kept a journal everyday, because between me and....the entire internet community apparently, some of those stories that only happen in books and movies, yeah, they sometimes happen to me. My life is a book of ironies and anecdotes but I wouldn't have it any other way.

So here I come world wide web. Here I come.