Sometimes starting a story is the hardest part because there are so many hopes, dreams and expectations for the finished product that you don't want to mess it up from the start. At least, this proved to be true for every paper I wrote in college. This blog is my story and we certainly won't be starting from the beginning because I am right smack dab in the middle of switching chapters in my life. So, I will give you a crash course on the past 22 1/4 years of my life.

The past 22 1/4 years:

I was born in Clovis, New Mexico to Pam and Lee (Harvey/Harley) Hammond and I lived there for a whole 6 weeks before I moved for the first time. My dad is a retired Air Force Pilot and in 2 short weeks, I will move for the 15th time in my life. That brings me to an average of approximately 1.5 moves per year. The list includes: Florida, Arizona, California, North Carolina, Northern Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Idaho, Turkey, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, York County Virginia and Blacksburg Virginia.

My parents currently reside in Yorktown, VA. I graduated from Grafton High School in 2006 after living in Yorktown for 2 years. My family has now lived here for the past 6 years with my little brother Kevin who is three years my junior and will begin his sophomore year at Hampden-Sydney College in August. My dad retired from the Air Force and it looks like my family will be sticking around the York County area for a few more years.

The place that I have lived the longest, however, is the wonderful and amazing college town of Blacksburg, VA. I fell in love with Blacksburg during the four years that I attended Virginia Tech. Blacksburg is a pretty special place to me because I grew into the person that I am today while in Bburg. There are a few specific reasons why I feel this way about Blacksburg. 1. I met people that turned into the friends I have known for the longest time in my life. 2. I met friends that turned into sisters and friends I'll have forever. 3. I had amazing opportunities to be challenged and grow as a person. 4. I figured out my purpose in life. (more on this to come but it has a lot to do with an awesome mentor named Adam).

On May 16, 2010 I graduated from VT and left the only place I claim as a home. I have never been emotional about leaving a town before. I've been sad to leave people before, but never to actually leave the location. The familiar skyline of downtown Blacksburg will always make me smile. I'm sad to leave, but proud and excited to finally have a place to call home.

As they say, "when one door closes, another door opens." In 2 weeks, I will be on the road to Columbia, SC and I am VERY excited! I will begin a 2 year program for a Master's of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina. (GO COCKS!!!) Basically, I will be helping students learn all of the very important lessons that happen outside of the classroom in college. I truly believe this is my calling in life.Which brings me to the purpose of this blog. I am writing so that in 10 years I will remember what it was like to be a graduate student/assistant. I am documenting all of the hard work, sleepless nights (read nights during sorority recruitment) and FUN that will be had during the next 2 years.

Oh, and why the title you ask? Pink and Green with a Dash of Idealistic was chosen for 2 reasons.
1. I love the colors pink and green (together or separately). Seriously, I just bought a pink and green striped seersucker couch and nobody was surprised. In fact, 3/3 people guessed my new couch, chair and ottoman were pink and green after that were asked "I bought a couch. What do you think it looks like?"
2. I have a set of principles/values by which I live my life. I'm working on writing a Personal Mission Statement and will post it when it's perfected. The values incorporate values from my Air Force family, Sigma Kappa/Greek values and a random sprinkling of life lessons learned the hard way.

Welcome to next chapter of my 22 1/4 years!!!!

Future posts might include:

My Personal Mission Statement
The Elephant Family - Why we could have a reality TV show.
Greek Life - Why I'm Obsessed
Sorority Recruitment - My Soapbox
Adjusting to Columbia, SC
Why I Can't Pick a School Without A Bird Mascot
My Dad - Pieces of Fatherly Advice
Things that Shouldn't Happen When You're 22 - Ex: Crows Feet
Pink and Green Things I Love
Fratty vs. Catty
Interesting ?s Asked at Freshman Orientation