BSCE

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

I graduated college today!

iPod Roulette?

Why not?

1. Harvard Variations, Legally Blonde the Musical- ha, enough said? good movie, good musical

2. Hand Me Down, Matchbox Twenty- I could listen to Rob Thomas all day

3. Mean, Taylor Swift- One of Taylor's newest songs. I always think of this one really really MEAN GIRL. She's a flat out BITCH to be honest. "i bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold".

4. Haven't Met You Yet, Michael Buble- such a fun song

5. The Chipmunk Song, Alvin and the Chimpmunks- Christmas classic!

6.It's All Been Done, Barenaked Ladies- What happened to them?

7. Bigger than Love, My Favorite Highway- part of my pop/punk phase? ha

8. Does your Mother Know?, Abba- I was really born in the wrong decade...

9. The Sea, Carbon Leaf- reminds me of highschool, hanging out in driveways and parking lots.

10. View From Heaven, Yellowcard- Sad, yet happy song. "I'm sure the view from heaven beats the hell out of mine here. If we all believe in heaven maybe we'll make it through one more year" yellowcard just reminds me of high school. great band.

11. Small Town Kid, Eli Young Band. LOVE LOVE LOVE Eli Young Band. They've gotten a lot bigger and still just come at places like GEORGES. My biggest memory of them will always be seeing them in concert last january during the snow/ice with Kate.

12. Hungry Eyes, Eric Carmen

13. Miss Kennedy, Ingram Hill- "there's something more we can't ignore, but nothing we can do", because i'm moving to little rock

14. Love Drunk, Boys Like Girls- not even close to being my favorite boys like girls song, but still good. reminds me of senior year of college.

15. Epic Holiday, Angels and Airwaves. Tom Delonge. Enough said. AWESOME SONG!! "life's just a game/ it's just one epic holiday"

I am alive, I swear.

Well, I haven't updated since I was in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and had returned from an Australian Rules football game. So, WHERE do I begin?

AUSTRALIA WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I can't even being to put it in words. Here are links to my facebook albums. I hope you're able to see them.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2055064&id=1026720001&l=a6c5ae6c4f

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2055034&id=1026720001&l=97e1e0559a

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2053136&id=1026720001&l=b6e5e9e384

Top 5 Favorite things about Australia? In no particular order...

1. playing with a kangaroos for an hour!
2. cuddling a koala! (which i learned is not koala BEAR, no bear, just koala)
3. the great barrier reef. next time, (yes, i will go back) i want to be scuba certified and go diving deep!
4. Tasmanian devils!
5. crocodile tour!




I finally arrived home after a 40 hour Thursday. When I arrived in LA 3 hours before I had even left Sydney (still blows my mind) I nearly had a breakdown when Southwest was making such a huge deal on me getting on an earlier flight, 850 am (i think) rather an 2pm. Finally, dad said, just pay it and get on home! So I ran to the gate, singing "airplane airplane sorry i'm late i'm on my way so don't close that gate" to myself, I make it just in time. I even had enough of a layover at Love Field to enjoy some greatly missed CHEESE DIP and a couple MARGARITAS at chilli's.

4 days later, and still very jet lagged, Laura and I headed to LITERALLY the most magical place on earth. No, it is not disney world. Better.

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER



here are some pictures from our trip!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056702&id=1026720001&l=9b01b21243

It was AMAZING! We got there early and waited in line to get inside the harry potter part of islands of adventure. It was sooooooooo crowded, but a lot of fun! We'll be back when it's less crowded.

Laura and I successfully didn't kill each other after spending 3 days nonstop together.

Since Harry Potter World, I've been in fayetteville, finishing up my last semester. After a lot of stressing, finally got a job offer with Garver! Starting January 3rd I'll be a Project Engineer in the TRAFFIC GROUP in Little Rock! I could not have been more thrilled. I recently got my apartment and have been purchasing furniture.

OH! While I was in Australia I found I passed the FE! That ridiculously long test I took back in april.

Hmm what else? I had my appendix removed! That sucked. But i'm all better now!

Now y'all are all caught up on the life of Claire!

Australian Rules Football!

Just got back from an australian rules football game! It's like a hybrid between american football and rugby. It takes awhile to grasp, and I still barely understand it, but I got a good bit of it and got pretty into it.

Tomorrows a free day in melbourne, going with the girls to the victoria markets and lunch and then relaxing and doing papers the rest of the day.

Sunday morning we fly out to canberra...bright and early. 8AM flight or something.

Only one more week of class stuff and then it's 6 days in CAIRNS!!! can't wait! We found a place up there where you can get your picture holding a koala so we're definitely doing that.

Pictures! and oh yea, dad, we went to where the first Stock Exchange of melbourne was. I took a picture of the room for you...there's nothing in it, though.

I want a pet Kangaroo

Well...let's see. It's 1145 AM Thursday June 3rd. I'm currently in Melbourne. Let me flashback to Tasmania...

we left for Tasmania friday night after we visted Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney and did a group project at the Sydney Records building. (we had a convict and had to look up all the info about him we could find. microfilms are crazy difficult to navigate through. glad i live in the age of computers.) We stayed at "The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel" obviously, it used to be a woolstore. we visited some markets in Hobart and the museum of tasmania. It was rainy on that saturday (typical) and it was SOOO COLD IN TASAMANIA!

Saturday night Daniel, Jordan, Kathryn and I went out in Hobart to this club called the observatory or "O-Bar" it was interesting to say the least, and EXPENSIVE. People on the trip were joking about how Hobart could have any kind of night live but they around 250000 people...which is more than little rock (not that night life is big there...but the river market is pretty fun).

Sunday we left for Port Arthur, which was originally a Penal Settlement. It wasn't really what I expected, it was all pretty much in ruins because a bush fire had gone through it decades ago. Tasmania is a really pretty place, though. Beautiful landscapes.

On our way to port arthur we stopped at the tasmanian devil sanctuary. There we saw tasmanian devils getting fed and fighting and then we went over to the kangaroo area where you just stand around and hangout with a big mob (think that's the correct term) of them! Best part of the trip so far. We also stopped by viewing areas of like Devils Kitchen, and a blow hole and more views of the pacific.

Pictures from Tasmania!

Hike through the blue mountains was AMAZING! And we had all 4 seasons while on the hike. It was a long hike and kinda hard in places. We even were walking along only 2 foot wide cliffs! Here's some pics from it!

JP gives everyone a shout out. Alex almost fell off a cliff. Kathryn saved his life and then ripped her leggings.

Australia!

I'm in Australia! been here since sunday morning! 15 hour plane ride was not nearly as bad as I thought it'd be. Sat next to a friend so it made the trip sooo much better! ONly slept for about 2 hours on the flight.

Yet to see a sunny day! Apparently Australia's been in a 7 year drought...couldn't tell from these past few days. It was torrental (sp?) downpour all day! We were supposed to hike the blue mountains today, but postponed for tomorrow (thursday)when the weather SHOULD be better.

Went to Manly Beach our...first? night here. I'm in love with manly! Favorite place thus far. Gorgeous views of the pacific, beautiful homes!

The group is great, everyone appears to get along, although there is a lot of segregation between the boys and girls while eating meals...getting better though. In the airpot the group thinks I have a real southern accent...they need to meet people from Wynne arkansas or benton/bryant. ha

Oh, it's cold here too. It may be australia...but it's cold. I haven't taken many pictures because of the weather! Rain does not make for good pictures. I have some, and we'll be back in sydney at the end of the trip.

I don't have time to post photos so I'll do that when I have free internet at a place besides mcdonalds.

check back soon!

Australia!

Tomorrow starts my adventure!

I leave for Los Angeles tomorrow morning for a 2 day "class" at the hotel with my group. We then leave for Sydney at 1030pm on Friday! I'll arrive in Sydney at 645am on Sunday. I skip Saturday. It's a 15 hour flight! eek! I'm taking iPhone and my iPOD, a book, magazine, and laptop. I hope that's enough entertainment. :/

Keep checking back for updates! After I leave each city I'm going to try to post pictures on facebook and a few on here in order to keep them ordered and not forget what's what!

If you're also interested you can see what I'm doing on twitter. twitter.com/clairesbears you don't have to login or anything either, just go to that link and you'll be able to see what I'm doing!

I absolutely cannot wait for this trip to start! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm so thankful for being able to go! Also if you have skype add me there too, then I can talk to y'all on the phone from australia! clairemckinney501

talk to y'all soon! also, if you want anything, SERIOUSLY, leave a comment or email me!

Fundamentals of Engineering

Tomorrow I take the fundamentals of engineering exam. an 8 hour test.

freaking. out. just hope i get a good nights sleep.

and that I remember everything from the last 4 years.

Headed to the Land of Oz

I'm sure you have all heard, from my dad or facebook page, that I am in fact going to AUSTRALIA this summer!

I'm studying abroad with a group form the University of Virginia. I will spend about a month down under.

I'll start in LA for a couple of days of lectures, then off to sydney, then hobart, then canberra, then melbourne, and then back to sydney, then i'm going on a extra excursion to cairns where i will go to the great barrier reef!

We booked my flights tonigt and I'm more than excited! It's less than two months away! that 14 1/2 hour flight will be terrible! but so long as i don't get LOST on some weird island in the south pacific, i'm good. When I return to the states, I will have arrived 2 1/2 hours before my flight left in Sydney! (i leave sydney at 1045AM and arrive in LA at 645AM on the same day.)

It'll be a crazy busy summer...after Australia I have about 10 days then I more than likely have to go to summer school to do fall schedule conflictions and then in August, my sister and I should be going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando

I'll blogging, skyping, and tweeting from the land down under, so get ready!

Snow

I'm sitting at my desk, looking straight out my window at a pretty heavy snow fall.

The forecast changed in the last hour. 100% tonight, tomorrow, and 80% tomorrow night! 1-3 over night and after it's all done up to 11 inches total! (probably not us though...)

Recently, while talking with a friend, I determined I would have no problem moving somewhere up north for awhile. Especially while I'm young. If I work for Garver and they continue their expanding and open a further north office, I think I'd be the first to jump on it.

My friends ask me where I my constant love of snow and winter and cold weather come from. I have no idea, guess it was just the way I was raised. Helps I've been lucky enough to have gone to colorado almost every year of my life.

If Fayetteville public schools close I have no classes tomorrow. I might call into work...especially if there's a lot of snow on the ground. I'm still in college, not wasting a snow day at work! You don't really get those much when you graduate.

I wish I had a fire place and a couch in my room, and a porch light. Guess I"ll have to do with my bed and a street light!

ICE BREAK 2010!!!

It's been exactly one year since Ice Break '09 began...now ICE BREAK 2010!

Expecting anywhere from 1/2 to 1 inch of ice plus snow on top on friday!

only concern. ELI YOUNG BAND AT GEORGES ON THURSDAY NIGHT. I'll walk if I have to.

I've taken all precautions for this storm:

-flashlight
-candles
-lighter
-water
-dry food
-alcohol

bring it mother nature...bring it.

Second Annual 21st Birthday

Nope, not 22. 22 officially sounds like an adult.

Just anniversaries of the 21st.

I turned 22 day...and it was probably the least exciting birthday ever. I felt like such an adult going to work on my birthday.

twenty two.....all downhill from here.

semester's going good so far! It's nice having later classes. Kate and I have also been keeping up with working out. I work everyday but Friday after class, then workout, then study. Cept Thursday nights....class, work, workout, Dickson.

My sister is coming to fayetteville tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with me! We're going out to dinner with our brother and some of my friends to start the evening, then Dickson street! woohoo!

It makes me so sad with all the people I've known to put their dogs down lately. My friend Rylee's was put down this past weekend, Saudi was 16 years old. They'd had her since Rylee was 6. Rylee was devastated because she couldn't come home and say goodbye. She kept saying " i know its stupid to be so upset..." and all I could tell her was it wasn't stupid at all, that dog was literally a brother to her, you can't just pretend it was "just a dog". I hate thinking about Weasley dying or being put down. (he won't though...he's living FOREVER. He told me.)

Okay, need to finish up a homework assignment and get to bed. Goodnight Everyone!

2010 is here!

Figured I'd get in one more update before 2010.

phew. what a year! I turned 21...and well...that's about it!

7 semesters down....2 to go! 22 hours between me and the real world! :/

Man, I can't believe it's 2010!! I feel like I just graduated high school (i know 4 years ago isn't that long...but it's flown by!)!!

Some days at work I sit there and think...do I really have to do this for the next 43 years?!

This past semester has been a blast socially but terrible school wise. Mainly because of one class, which only God knows how I got in B in there. Well, I do actually...my amazing group of our design project! Those boys carried me and I'm not afraid to admit it, although they claim they couldn't have done a lot of the stuff without me ;)

Coming up I've the big double deuce. My sister's coming in town for that weekend so it will definitely be a good time. Especially Thursday at the piano bar! Piano bar is my favorite place EVER.

I'm headed to fayetteville tomorrow for new years eve. Should be an amazing time!

I'm still waiting on snow....it's NOT COOL AT ALL THAT TEXAS HAS SEEN MORE SNOW.

just bugs me all the texas girls who complain complain when it's 45 degrees outside...then they're bragging how it's 73 degrees in december and the next day they get their first white christmas in 80 years and they can't get enough of it! yes. i am bitter. still.

well not too exciting of a life right now, just having fun, earning some money and trying to think about growing up for awhile.

see ya in 2010!

100 Years HOG STYLE

This year commemerates the 100 year anniversary of the ARKANSAS RAZORBACK!

"they played like a wild band of razorback hogs!"

Homecoming this year was "A Red and White Affair Celebrating 1oo Years of Razorbacks" This picture is of AOII Lawn Decorations for part of the homecoming competition, we basically had a tailgating theme.

Razorbacks are wayy better than cardinals! So happy that change happened! It's such a unique mascot! I'm SOOO PROUD TO BE A RAZORBACK!

It's halloween and homecoming game day! GO HOGS GO! What a day this will be!

woo pig sooie!

When, again, EVER, in my life would I be able to go to australia for 5 weeks?

never.

harry potter world in orlando for a week? I could still go there with my great grand kids 60 years from now.

...Where Everybody Knows You're Name...

Goodness the past two weeks have been rough! I didn't have any just tests this semester, only MIDTERMS, so ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I'm beat. .

I reallyyy wanted to go to mug night tonight, but it's initiation tomorrow night and we're not allowed to drink 24 hours before or after ritual. Some people were like "oh go out who cares what does it matter". I know I'd feel guilty though, and ritual is what AOII is all about, if I don't respect what my sorority was founded on what's the point of doing it? So I'm staying sober.

I may still head out to grubs and see some people. I can't spend a thursday night in my room. Plus I've spent majority of my week in Bell and would like to see somewhere else!
A&M game was sooooooooo much fun!! The staidum was AMAZING!!! and of course the ending wasn't too shabby either!! WOO PIG SOOIE! oh and we bought $14 "CowboyRitas" with a glass you keep. uhhh huhhh. it was soo worth it. hahaha

Kate and I at our seats! Students had really good seats!

the view when you walk in!!! Our jaws dropped like christmas morning! there's even escalaters!

Adrianne, Lacey, me, and Kate outside John's tailgate! Great spot!

Big Brother and I in front of the staidum at his tailgate. His friend made us take a picture together. haha

Kate and I in front of the stadium! Looks like something out of the jetsons!

and the hogs win!!

EVERY SCREEN FILLED UP WITH RAZORBACKS!!!! look at all the A&M people already gone! hahahaha!!!! We shut up these annoying A&M Girls in a box behind us reallll quick! During the hog song "we're gonna beat the hell outta you and you and you and you ect" everyone around us turned around and pointed at them hahaha it was actually really funny if you saw their faces.

my first trip to whataburger! It was a disaapointment, my chicken buscuit was crap. but as kate put it "it's really all about the taquitos".

This is also a picture post of me and friends lately!

A couple of my fellow mug nighters! Emily and Lacy!

some sisters and me out at grubs one night!

I'm TEXAS BOUND!

...in 4 hours!

and i got THE COOLEST blue mug last night. It's beautiful.

I'm soooo excited for the game!! and texas in general! ahhhh!

And my brother and I had a 6 minute long conversation that was civil! we're growing up!

Is it thursday night yet?

Thursday's are my favorite. Despite the long class day, after those, I'm pretty much done for the day. I have concrete and senior design on friday, but I always have hw done for concrete early and senior design stuff is usually due in Foundations class on tuesdays or thursdays. Soo...THURSDAY NIGHT MUG NIGHT AT WILLY D'S. It's a great tradition my friend Kate and I have started this semester. We will go every thursday. (and don't worry dad, I get all my work done and go to class the next morning!) Mug night, for those who don't know, is if you bring in a mug (most use a willy d mug) to the piano bar you can fill it for one dollar. ONE DOLLAR...and the mug holds about 2 1/2 beers. YUM. haha

Needless to say...I'm ready for this mug night...although Kate can't come tomorrow, it's bikes blues and barbeque and she interns for them and has to run stuff all week! boooo

School's been alright, it's hard. I've yet to have a test...which worries me. Most of my classes have 2 tests and a final. scarrryyyy. So far I've done good on homework and stuff...I think, we still haven't gotten stuff back for some classes. Steel blowwwws I hate that class. I will never design a steel member. NEVER. I'll stick to pavements and such thank you very much.

This weekend is bikes, blues, and barbeque, always a fun time in fayetteville when that's going on. My friend Kate hooked me up with a job on saturday, I'm getting paid 8 dollars an hour to serve bbq! woohoo! and I get free bbq, tshirt, and beer.

Next weekend is the A&M game! I'm going with Kate to Dallas for it! It's going to be sooo much fun! A couple of our friends are staying in the same hotel and it has some good bars in walking distance. It will be a fun weekend, GO HOGS!!!

I got the cutest shirt for the game last weekend, it's a red vneck and along the side going down it says "CALL THEM & THEY WILL COME woo pig sooie" It's sooo cute!

Oh hey, I've lost 14% body fat. No big deal. And 15 pounds, no big deal again. YEA RIGHT! It would be more, but I was never THAT strict. Beer is my favorite beverage of the weekend....

My tv busted so now I have this old one of my brothers, the thing is huge! it barely fits on my desk, I'll probably move it to the top of my wardrobe here soon. I'm still working on my room, once it looks good I'll take pictures and post them.

vrrrmmm vrrrooommm vrrrooom that's all i'm hearing! I love it! I love bbbbq! I'm loving "senior" year! I still don't want to grow up though.

I was in the process of writing a really happy chirpy post about how great this semester was going to be, but I'd endup just be negative. So don't expect a back to school update post for awhile. It's gonna take something pretty fricking awesome to deserve a post.

Like and A on my first steel test. hah