untitled.

Night at the rodeo with some of my favorite people. Got free admission as a cowboy’s plus one, saw a bull get loose and charge the crowd, and got Maryland mud on my boots.

How does such a girly girl like you survive at a military academy?

I had dinner with my best friend’s parents this evening. I haven’t seen any of them in two years, since I graduated high school and went off to the ol’ CGA. And this was how our conversation started.

My answer: I paint my toenails all the time. I’ll put a little mascara on just to go to the ward room for dinner. I’ve been known to do my hair for crew practice (only if I know the great Paul Duddy, unofficial academy photographer, will be there). I sleep in my own pjs, wear cute socks (you can’t actually see them when I have shoes on) and have one of the most vibrant underwear collections at school.

But I’m also not afraid to get dirty. I sweat, I don’t mind being covered in oil and fuel, and I’m actually pretty handy.

So it’s really not that bad. I survive. Just so long as I can take a long hot shower and throw on a cute little dress when all my work is finished.