Belated Birthday Present

Today, my game was rained out, I took the hardest biology test I have yet to encounter, and to top it all off I had a headache most of the day. So, as I recalled my day on the way home, it sucked for a lack of better words. But that one sheet of paper in the mail box changed it all.

A couple months ago, I was notified I was a semi-finalist for the AXA Community Achievement Scholarship (you can read about it here). I filled out all of the paperwork and mailed it off. I had completely forgot that they let me know if I had won in late April. So, as I open the mailbox, take out a stack full of envelopes, sit back in my car, flip through, searching for my name, I see this envelope addressed from AXA. In tiny print, it says "Ms. Britany Nicoll Smith". The first thing I notice is the envelope is made of a nice heavy weight paper. Kind of like card stock. Instantly, I think, "great, another thing to ruin my day. Another rejection letter." After all, it was a highly competitive national scholarship for... wait for it... $2,000..

As I open the letter, this is what I read, that magic word that makes your heart stop for just an instant.... "Congratulation!"

My Beautiful Letter

Of course, this put an instant smile on my face. Who wouldn't smile after being given $2,000?!?

Pretty smile, and new jeans that actually fit, Yay!

Love,
Brittany
xoxo

Big Day!

On the way home from work at 2 am, it was pouring. Hillsborough was completely blacked out with a cop at every corner. The rain pounded on my windshield as I slowly drove home. At two in the morning on my birthday, it was beautiful. My favorite kind of weather. Peaceful. Dark. Just how I like it, minus the cops.

Today has been more than I could have ever have asked for. I was surrounded by family and friends who came home from college to visit me. Enjoyed great food. It was relaxing and peaceful.

At the end of the day, after an amazing nap, I logged on to see a plethora of posts from tons of people. For me, birthdays are not about presents. That means nothing. It is about the love, the people who care about you. Today, I once again realized how blessed, lucky, completely humbled I am. I could not have dreamed of better people to be around. To share my life with. So, thank you. Thank you for being there, through the good and bad. For loving me at the worst times. And just taking two seconds to say a kind word and make me feel wonderful. I know it is easy to just skip a text message or phone call. I surely have done my fair share. So thank you! God is amazing for sure.

Last night, as I was leaving the Carolina Inn, Kelly said "North Carolina has the best hospitality. So many kind people." I could not agree more with her. Thank you for sharing my big day, and many more to hopefully come. Can't wait to share it all with you guys in June too.

Love always,
Brittany
xoxo

There no possible way that I am...

... Going to be eighteen in 3 hours. Well it actually won't be real until 8:05 am. But, ya know.

It completely does not feel like I am eighteen or any older. I am really excited. On my way to work this evening, I scouted out a 24 hour gas station. So, on my way home, I can buy my first lottery ticket. Hopefully, I'll be carded. As I spend the evening with two beautiful baby boys (I am babysitting), it blows my mind to think that I was once that small. Time has flew by and, before I know it, I won't be eighteen either. I'll be older and grown. Crazy to think about.

To get to the chapel for the wedding, we took a shuttle. Jill, a mother of one of the boys, asked what interesting things were going on and I told her before the night was over, I will be officially an adult. Her husband goes, "oh, I can buy you your first shot." Everyone quickly corrected him and told him I was talking about eighteen and not twenty one.

I am happy to spend tomorrow surrounded by my family and a couple close friends. This year, I will not be doing anything big. Rather, I am saving my celebration for the beach with my four amazing friends. Since we live so far apart, we will be celebrating several birthdays, graduations, scholarships, and successes that week. Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts, prayers and wishes. As I journey onto the next chapter in my life and the next year, I couldn't have asked for better people and support group to spend it with . Truly blessed and thankful for gods gift of life, family, and love.

Brittany
Xoxo

Two Week Recap!

Are you ready? Because there is lots to share. Ready, Set, Go!

1. Last Week, on Thursday night, I attended a scholarship dinner for the Hillsborough Exchange Club. In addition to enjoying some chicken and dumplings (typical southern food), I also was awarded a $500 scholarship and allowed to interview for another $1,000. I am very honored and grateful for this opportunity. In addition, the craziest thing happened, but I can't spill all my secrets now. Wait until June when I write my "Notes to Brooke" to find out the secret in this scholarship success.

2. I have got my voter's registration card in the mail! It is crazy to think that this Sunday, I will be eighteen years old and I will be able to go buy a lottery ticket or vote. Holy Cow! It seems to have all gotten here so quickly.

3. Today is my Friday, and, tomorrow, I will be touring Carolina. I am super excited because I have never really stepped foot in Chapel Hill or on Campus or even on Franklin Street. As we planned out our agenda, I realized there was so much I wanted (or maybe needed) to do that I would not have enough time in the day. I may just have to make a side trip to see some wonderful friends who will show me around more. I can't wait to share with everyone this experience.

4. Tomorrow I will also be working a wedding. Babysitter Brittany to the rescue. No, but seriously, this wedding is going to be gorgeous. My teacher's son (who works in the white house, crazy right?) is marrying his college sweetheart right where they met. They have been planning it for over three years and it is color schemed, themed, and all that crazy really neat organizational things.

5. My roommate and me have picked out our top three choices for where we want to live. Although they are not ordered, we have chosen Morrison, Craige, and Koury. I feel like I am saying exciting so much, but it really is exciting!!!

6. My cap and gown came in!!! Along with the beautiful invitations. I am getting my cap and gown pictures taken this weekend with the beautiful Celeste! We are hoping to provide a little something in each invitation as a memory keepsake. The process of gathering addresses from everyone in my family, friends, and past teachers is time consuming. I have decided that I don't have the nicest handwriting, and, instead of writing addresses, I will be using a pretty cursive font to address each invitation. I am hoping to get all invites out by early to mid May.

7. Graduation celebrations have also been decided. I can't wait to share my plans with you once invitations go out.

8. I am honored to say that I was given an interview for the Rotary Scholarship. This is worth a $1,000 and would really help me pay for college. It is May 1st. Wish me luck!

9. As of last week, I have applied to over thirty scholarships. That is a ton! As scholarship notices start rolling in (late april and may are decision time for those types of things), I am hoping all the hard work will pay off.

10. My last quarter grades came out and I am on track of keeping a perfect GPA for this semester. For all the work I have put in, my stress level has been moderate. I actually have nails now! I have even had... wait for it... free time!!!

11. I almost forgot this, but I couldn't stop thinking about it all day, so I don't know how. Last night, I was "player of the game" for my team. This is a little reward our coach gives out to a player who really hustles and makes a difference for the team that game. So as coach handed me the cookie and slip of paper after the game, I was extremely shocked. Yes, I had played well... I guess. I had six shots come to find out (one off of a breakaway and I am definitely not the fastest player), a nice save on defense to keep the other team from scoring in the last 1 min :20 sec, played two positions, and, she says I had good communication. As I am hearing this, I automatically thought of everyone else on my team who put it out there and worked hard. I never thought of myself (did not even register that I had more than one shot or even a save). I am very grateful for the award. I am enjoying learning how to play striker. I love my team and every person on it. Great game last night. Can't wait to be on the blog!

So as you take all this in, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for supporting me, caring for me, loving me, and encouraging me.

Brittany
xoxo

Committing the Next Four Years of my Life To....

Drum Roll, Please!!!

**dadadadada** University of North Carolina Chapel Hill **Cheers!**

That's right, I will be a Tarheel fan next year and three years after that!!! After many conversations with many people, visits, thinking, working the numbers, this was the best choice for my future and me. It is definitely scary to commit to something, and, goodness knows, I have been putting this off. Lately, I have found a great deal of reassurance in the fact this is gods plan and path for me.

I have been "roommated up" too!!! (You know, like "boo'ed up"?) And it is with one of my best friends, Jordan. I am super excited! My mom was like, "time to pick out a color scheme." The fact that both of us have never really decorated a room fully with a color scheme and etc, and, now we get to, is really exciting. My dad is now wanting UNC season tickets! I am going to officially tour on April 20th!

Some huge factors in my decision is, UNC is still close to a hospital, it is larger university, in the city, and, academically, I feel I can still strive to be at the top of my class. I am super excited to say I also plan on pledging at UNC. And soon I will be picking classes. Wow. A lot to take in!

Anyways, I am happy. And I hope you can share in this happiness with me.

Brittany
xoxo