You see it wasn’t all seriousness all the time.  We had our fun times,  for instance hula hooping around the conference area at our Fall Conference.   We acted just like any other normal high school students, we just did some pretty phenomenal things this year.

The State Officers at the National Conference.  There were many pictures involved this trip and as crazy as it sounds — they’re all mostly digital.  Not bad for being business students nearly 10 years ago.

BPA holds a National Conference for students who have achieved 1st or 2nd place at the State level.  The year I held state office, our National conference was in Dallas, TX.  It was amazing being on the State board and having an Oklahoman as our Secondary National President.  Just think of this like FFA.   …except we’re Business and not Ag.

The State Officer of BPA for the 2003-2004 school year….oh yes….and David..the National President that year as well.

Climbing the rock wall.  How about one of the hardest things I had done.  I had no problem climbing just lagged in the department of verticalness (yes, I totally just made UP that word!).  It was definitely a challenging experience, but I loved getting to experience it with my BPA team.

It’s just bait…but I did it myself.  Shocked everyone on the boat, but I’m a true fisherwoman…I know how to do these things.

I’ve got my own fish tales, I also have the pictures to prove those so-called fish tales that y’all think I’m making up.  For instance said fish above… He’s mine.  I caught him.

Totally kissed a fish.  My lips were way chapped after that adventure.  No more fish kissing adventures in the future….unless he’s a true keeper!

Gearing up to go fishin’ one year.  I don’t think anyone loves to fish as much as I do.  Case in point, I’ve fished like nobody’s business every single year that I’ve gone to camp.  Every.  Single. One.  …and this includes the ones I’ve gone as a Counselor.

Proud of my fishy.  There are lots of “proud” moments, especially when fishing and especially when you fish with me.

This was the year Gabs and I caught 80+ Sand Bass (not kidding)…broke a fishin’ pole…got our BASS guides boat muddy because we had to get out on the shore…had a ton of fun and couldn’t keep from laughing at random things every 10 seconds….drank a million Cokes…drove a boat super fast and scared our guide half to death…. I realize we probably did much more than I’m letting on; which is probably true, but the truth is we had a blast!

Asked Gabs how big her fish was…this was the answer I got.

Enjoying the cool breeze.  Lake waves rolling in.  The almost peace and quiet.  And of course hanging out with one of the greatest friends — ever.

When the fish aren’t biting, you entertain yourself.  Case in point right above.

We definitely know how to slaughter Stripers on Texoma.  It’s great being the tallest one of the bunch sometimes.  Even when your campers are 11 years old and 4 inches taller than you are. True Story.

One of those years I decided it would be appropriate to use Sun-In.  Why I didn’t listen to my mother, I just don’t know.  This particular year, I caught the only fish on our boat.  I agree, it looks dinky, but it’s a keeper!

One of the few ice chests full of Striper my boat caught one year.  Way to go teammates!

Attending a medical conference proved to be one of the most amazing and eye opening experiences I’ve gone through.  Getting to have fun with fellow MD’s and DO’s….who wouldn’t want to partake in that adventure?

Most importantly though, I met some pretty amazing friends, from all over the country actually.  I still keep in contact with about 90% of my group from this summer, which is astounding because this conference was nearly 7 years ago.

I’m pretty sure the camera found me just about wherever I was.  Thank goodness for digital back then.

On the way to the Mall of America via public transit.  Major fun in the twin cities y’all.  Had a blast meeting and making new friends.

On a “night off” from workshops and lectures, a huge group of us decided to go on the town.  At the time it was a bar called the Wild Onion.  Crazy, huh?

…still the Wild Onion.  Let’s just say I had a blast and had nothing to drink that night.  I think I was a newly minted 21 year old, too.  Pure Craziness.

Last group shot with the girls that evening, we all had fun getting to know each other during our trip.

Found a pair of goggles on our boat that night, so in true Erin fashion I had to put them on.  Talk about goofy all while having fun with my friends. : )

Getting ready to dock, head to the hotel and head out to the bar.  Last night in MN, you’ve gotta do it up big, right?!

Another partial group shot.  We took so many of these that week, seriously was one of the best times in my life being Pre-Med, but I made an even better decision career wise and can’t wait to see what journey it takes me on.

Our hotel was somewhere in the background.  We stayed at one of the fanciest hotels I had ever stayed in and we all had a blast.  Pretty sure I called home just so I could say I was staying in a Trump Hotel.

Our conference director.  He set up all the yet to be in med school applicants and directed my group on which lectures to sit in on and who to rub elbows with.

What our lovely paddle boat looked like sort of.    How many of y’all can say you’ve traveled a portion of the Great Mississippi?  I have.

Relaxing on the boat and taking in the scenery.  I had never been that far north, so this was a completely different experience especially since it was my first ever plane trip.  Talk about an exciting time in my life.

Me & Ash.  We’re still just as close as we were here.  We’ve moved.  Traveled across the US.  But always kept in contact (thank you Facebook!!) through the years.

St. Paul in the background and us looking completely silly.  I sure miss those days…

Now you can’t leave a medical conference without going to the Mall of America at least once while you’re “in town”, that would just be horrible.  If I remember correctly, I made at least half a dozen trips and even left my digital camera in a dressing room (that I later recovered thank goodness).

First…I decided it would be best to try something new with my hair.  Twas a windy night in Oklahoma, why not play around with the wind and do something sexy with my hair this time around?  Yeahhhhh….didn’t think you’d buy into that, but it was worth a shot!

Only in Oklahoma can you ring in the New Year and watch Bull Riding at the same time.  I had a blast doing something different, although, I wasn’t a fan of dancing on that packed dance floor.  There’s no telling how many times I twirled into everyone on the dance floor.

A better shot of the bull pens without all the glitzy lights going.  Yes, I was inside a club with a bull pen.

Taking time out from dancing to catch our breath and DRINK.  You have no idea how dehydrated you can get when you’re out on the dance floor with everyone else having fun.  Funny thing is, I love that you can’t tell just how lovely I actually look.  You see, when the ball dropped the place got just a tad bit wild.  As in, beer was shook & spewed as well as our champagne.  Oh yes y’all.  We’re talking about an Oklahoma girl who rarely drinks being covered in alcohol from head to toe.  Talk about a hot mess.  I’m just thankful that y’all can’t see how sticky or how matted down my hair really is.  Good thing is….I took a shower, even if it was at 3am…

What happens after a night of drinking water?  You stop at IHOP because you’re starving.  That’s what!  No pancakes for me, though.  …although waking up the next morning wasn’t fun at all.

I’ve learned both versions of Copperhead Road, but the country bar I go to typically does this version, the Texas version.  I haven’t had the chance to go in a little over a month, but I’m hoping with my break from school I can get out on the dance floor and have a little fun before heading back to class on January 3rd.

It’s been a chicken broth and liquid diet kinda day.  It’s not that my throat is sore.  It’s that my entire body aches.  I’m freezing, but not running a fever.  I guess I just want my Momma to come take care of me, but then again all I want to do is sleep too.  Not too sure what to make of this crummy day yet.  Hopefully it’ll turn around and I’ll be a new person tomorrow!

One of my really great friends loves to tag along and come dancin’.  Actually, y’all have her to blame for my new addiction.  If it wasn’t for her, I’d be sitting at home every Thursday night.  Love going to Graham’s…actually it’s somewhat of a Family Tradition.  But, that’s a blog post for another day….ha!

In the car and ready to go.  I couldn’t decide which picture I liked better, so I took two.

Gorgeous.  I love my dark hair.  Crazy hair cut.  Perfectly done makeup.  Funky Red Necklace.  And BRIGHT Red Lips.  Oh yes…I’m ready to cut loose.

Not driving yet….we were still parked in my garage and taking our sweet time getting TO Graham’s this evening.

Look who has SPUNK.  Not sure Graham’s was ready for me, but I was sure ready for it.