Bad Luck Bananas

My family is in the Keys for my graduation present, and I learned something very important today--- do not take bananas on a boat.  I grabbed a banana for breakfast before my dad and I went offshore fishing.  As I put it in my bag, he quickly said “Don’t take that on the boat!  You must eat it before we leave the dock!”  I laughed, and thought he was crazy as he went on the explain the “social more” of taking naners on the boat.  Apparently, to many fisherman around the world, there is nothing unluckier than a banana on a boat.

According to some site I googled,

“The origin of this superstition is uncertain, but many believe that it began in olden times, when bananas were transported by rickety, overcrowded, top-heavy boats plying the tropics (now known as cruise ships). These boats would frequently sink, leaving behind a residue of floating yellow commas, thus leading witnesses to deduce that hauling bananas was unlucky. A more scientific explanation is that since bananas give off ethylene gas when they ripen, it causes other perishable foodstuffs to spoil more quickly. This expended-gas theory could be why it’s also considered unlucky to have a politician on board. Yet another theory suggests that crates of bananas would also contain unwanted pests, such as spiders, snakes, flies, mice and Beanie Babies.”

Furthermore,

“In the early 1700’s, during the height of the Spanish’s South Atlantic and Caribbean trading empire, it was observed that nearly every ship that disappeared at sea and did not make its destination was carrying a cargo of bananas. This gave rise to the belief that hauling bananas was a dangerous prospect.”

I had no idea this superstition existed, nor do I particularly believe in superstitions, but I thought it was pretty entertaining and worth a mention….   

Though, it is important furthermore to note that yesterday, when I ate one on the boat, we got SKUNKED!  NO FISH!  Maybe its true!

Hurricane May Lo

It has been one hell of a whirlwind the past few days... 

An update on my life:

Last week-- went to Charleston for two days in between exams with Mom to look for apartments on James Island (and found one!), and afterwards, gave my last presentation and completed college... This past weekend-- lots of festivities, culminating in me graduating magna cum laude. I had one of the best weekends to end it all, though I HATED leaving.  Sunday, we moved out of Wofford (thank you mules Daddy and Lash!) and took a pit stop in Columbia to move my sister's old apartment out before going coming to Beaufort to unpack and repack...  This week-- moved into my new apartment on James Island, and tomorrow, going to the keys for a week as my graduation present.

To say the least, it has been C-R-A-Z-Y around the Laffitte household.

Leaving Wofford was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I am so depressed that I will not get to be with my friends day in and day out like I have been the past four years.  It was one hell of a ride.  I am so grateful my parents allowed me to go to Wofford.  I am so excited to start my job and move on to the next phase of my life, but gosh, am I going to miss that place!!  And, the worse part is that I really have not had too much time to think through all the ramifications of leaving college because we've been so busy...  This time next week I'll probably be having a mental breakdown.  

Here's a photo of some of my best friends and I in our cap and down after graduation:

I can already tell you that I miss them so much... But, can't be sad for too long... life moves on, and I hope we will all always be close.  I am SOOO excited about our vacation (catching fish and getting sun!!) and can't WAIT to start my job.  I am so blessed to have one!  

School's out for summer.... School's out forever!!

I am 100% finished with my college career!!!!  The last class is over, my last presentation given, and my last exam completed.  It is such an exciting feeling, but also very bittersweet.  I'll be sure to post pictures from graduation and write about the weekend!!  

I am EMPLOYED!

WOOOOO hoooo!

I have received a job offer from an insurance company in Charleston, SC and can not WAIT to join their team!! I will be working for Pure, short for Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange, as an executive assistant, and am so excited about the opportunity to learn more about the "real world" and the insurance industry.   I'm sure a lot of my upcoming posts will be about my transitions!  I am so blessed--- Charleston is my dream city, and not only do I have a job, but also  insurance is my dream job out of college.

Furthermore, this news could not have come at a better time.  I just completed my last in class exams at Wofford!  Now, I have only one 15 minute presentation standing between me and a Wofford diploma.      

Life is good!

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs...

Trying to find a job in this economy has been quite difficult to say the least.  

However, I am hearing back from two insurance companies this week- one in Charleston and one in Columbia- so pray for me that something works out!!  I'm so ready to figure out what I am going to be doing.... in 12 days!

The "Lasts"

It has been a while since my last post, but with the semester winding down, things have been super busy!  Exactly two weeks from today, I will be a Wofford College alum.  Weird.  

This weekend was our last weekend here before "quiet hours" go into effect.  We had our last KD function and the last night at fraternity row.  (Clearly, the theme here is the "last" this and the "last" that...)  Luckily, Lash was able to come up to be my date Friday night, and we had the best time at Luau.  It was also so fun to be with my best friends.  The picture I posted is some of my best friends and me when we were just hanging out in the Village before the function. 

Saturday, I went to a retirement party for my favorite professor, Dr. Dooley.  I'm sad to see him go, but excited for him to kick back and relax after 40 years at Wofford!  And, I told him he could not retire until I graduated, so luckily that worked out quite well for me!  That night, two of my favorite bands were playing at the row on Saturday so I jumped from house to house listening and singing along.

So, after wrapping up KD, fraternity, and professor fun, tonight our KD chapter advisors had us over for an amazing dinner to congratulate us and send us off into the real world.  After four years of chapter, rules, and Kappa Delta responsibilities, we are totally finished.

I can't believe my time here is coming to an end.  We have one more week of classes, a week of exams, graduation, and then it is ADIOS.