Life is a cross-nation road trip. You in your car. Driving forever. You see road, road, and more road. Dull silence is your company. Add God to the picture and suddenly there is music, beautiful scenery and 4 star hotels along the journey.
This is what I know.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
12 Things I Wish I'd Known About Love When I Was 21...
HI FRIENDS! :) So my sister gave me this article that she LOVES and now I love it too!!! when you read it, you're like "YES! YES THAT'S ME! OH MY GOD I DO THAT TOO!" So instead of photo copying it and snail mailing it out to all my bffs, I am going to retype the whole thing for you on here! really, you won't regret reading these!! :) Love you!
Article from Glamour Mag, by: Erin Meanly
NUMBER 1: Never underestimate the importance of being "interesting".
Men want someone interesting. They really do. So find some hobbies. In my mid-twenties, I made a guy my hobby. When he dumped me, partly because he felt smothered, I had to get a life. I hired a personal trainer, volunteered with kids, took Italian lessons and flew to Rome for vacay. It takes effort to get interested in yourself again. Make that effort. You'll start to remember how good it feels. And you'll impress. Now when I'm on a date and I read the menu in an Italian accent, or I smile while I talk about my ballet class, guys really eat it up.
NUMBER 2: There's a fine line between teasing a guy and criticizing him.
I used to fall into this bad habit of extreme flirting by teasing. One time I told an older guy who'd had a skiing accident that he was "damaged goods," and I would need to trade him in for a "younger model." He looked at me like I'd just kicked his puppy. I felt so bad that later, when he showed up wearing a totally heinous puka shell necklace, I refrained from any comment. Now that guy is long gone, but I am decidedly nicer to his successors.
NUMBER 3: Your wants and needs are just as important as his.
And if you don't express them because you think doing so will scare him away, then you're saying you don't count as much as he does.
NUMBER 4: Knowing how to cook: helpful.
I see now that it would have won me a lot of points. When I was 21, I said to my sorority sister, "I bought a box of Rice-a-Roni. How do I boil water?" She told me, "Make it bubble." And for years, that was all I knew how to do. If I'd had any idea then how much guys savor a woman who cooks--even if they're great cooks themselves--I would've asked for further instructions. Admittedly it sounds a little June Cleaver, but really nothing has changed about the male appetite, except it's gotten bigger.
NUMBER 5: Sometimes guys flirt with you because it makes them feel good about THEMSELVES.
(Hey, we do it too.) This is also the aha explanation for why he asked for your number and didn't call. The schmuck.
NUMBER 6: You will probably never fully understand men. So just try to understand yourself.
NUMBER 7: It's shocking how much men will talk about marriage.
But until there's a ring on your finger, it will generally be better for you if you pretend you're deaf. I've listened to hypothetical wedding plans from several men I've become involved with--sometimes on the first date! Yet, shockingly, I've never been married. Why do guys tease so? Simple: Even honest men like to tell you what they think you want to hear. But the more marriage talk there is and the more you imagine your future walk down the aisle with him, the harder it is to have good, clear perspective on the PRESENT state of your relationship--and to break up if he's not right for you. So don't indulge; it's not worth it.
NUMBER 8: Don't be cynical.
I try not to roll my eyes at PDA, and I never attend Anti-Valentine's Day parties. Bitterness is unattractive.
NUMBER 9: Things change once you're naked.
This one truly would have changed my life if I'd known it back when I started having sex: Sleeping with him doesn't give you power. It's NOT sleeping with him that does. Power to decide how quickly things happen; power to make him want you desperately; power to keep your clothes on if you so choose. And feeling powerful makes you SEXY.
NUMBER 10: Being worshipped isn't all that.
You'll go nuts if he's absolutely devoted to you. So let him have a boys' night or throw himself into his work. A happy man will still be able to balance "crazy busy" and crazy about you. One of my favorite grown-up quotes? From Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex": "The knight departing for new adventures offends his lady, yet she has nothing but contempt for him if he remains at her feet."
NUMBER 11: We see what we want to see (and ignore the bad signs).
A guy will say, "Next time you play a gig, invite me!" And you think, Isn't that sweet? He likes me and supports my art and will probably marry me! But I have news: He would say the same thing to your GRANDMA if she were in a band. It's even possible to convince yourself that a guy who is acting distant or shady is doing so because he's overwhelmed by his love for you. But he isn't; he's acting distant and shady because he IS distant and shady! Wish I'd known that.
NUMBER 12: Don't compare yourself with your friends.
Some of them will settle down before you. Mine have been getting married steadily for the last decade. At some point I started to feel different, and that was a new and uncomfortable feeling for me. Rather than get anxious about it, I've tried to remind myself that it's not a race. Even when you've always been first in grades and jobs, you could be last in marrying. It's hard, but it doesn't mean anything about who you are as a person! Just that you're smart enough to wait for Mr. Eventually.
Article from Glamour Mag, by: Erin Meanly
NUMBER 1: Never underestimate the importance of being "interesting".
Men want someone interesting. They really do. So find some hobbies. In my mid-twenties, I made a guy my hobby. When he dumped me, partly because he felt smothered, I had to get a life. I hired a personal trainer, volunteered with kids, took Italian lessons and flew to Rome for vacay. It takes effort to get interested in yourself again. Make that effort. You'll start to remember how good it feels. And you'll impress. Now when I'm on a date and I read the menu in an Italian accent, or I smile while I talk about my ballet class, guys really eat it up.
NUMBER 2: There's a fine line between teasing a guy and criticizing him.
I used to fall into this bad habit of extreme flirting by teasing. One time I told an older guy who'd had a skiing accident that he was "damaged goods," and I would need to trade him in for a "younger model." He looked at me like I'd just kicked his puppy. I felt so bad that later, when he showed up wearing a totally heinous puka shell necklace, I refrained from any comment. Now that guy is long gone, but I am decidedly nicer to his successors.
NUMBER 3: Your wants and needs are just as important as his.
And if you don't express them because you think doing so will scare him away, then you're saying you don't count as much as he does.
NUMBER 4: Knowing how to cook: helpful.
I see now that it would have won me a lot of points. When I was 21, I said to my sorority sister, "I bought a box of Rice-a-Roni. How do I boil water?" She told me, "Make it bubble." And for years, that was all I knew how to do. If I'd had any idea then how much guys savor a woman who cooks--even if they're great cooks themselves--I would've asked for further instructions. Admittedly it sounds a little June Cleaver, but really nothing has changed about the male appetite, except it's gotten bigger.
NUMBER 5: Sometimes guys flirt with you because it makes them feel good about THEMSELVES.
(Hey, we do it too.) This is also the aha explanation for why he asked for your number and didn't call. The schmuck.
NUMBER 6: You will probably never fully understand men. So just try to understand yourself.
NUMBER 7: It's shocking how much men will talk about marriage.
But until there's a ring on your finger, it will generally be better for you if you pretend you're deaf. I've listened to hypothetical wedding plans from several men I've become involved with--sometimes on the first date! Yet, shockingly, I've never been married. Why do guys tease so? Simple: Even honest men like to tell you what they think you want to hear. But the more marriage talk there is and the more you imagine your future walk down the aisle with him, the harder it is to have good, clear perspective on the PRESENT state of your relationship--and to break up if he's not right for you. So don't indulge; it's not worth it.
NUMBER 8: Don't be cynical.
I try not to roll my eyes at PDA, and I never attend Anti-Valentine's Day parties. Bitterness is unattractive.
NUMBER 9: Things change once you're naked.
This one truly would have changed my life if I'd known it back when I started having sex: Sleeping with him doesn't give you power. It's NOT sleeping with him that does. Power to decide how quickly things happen; power to make him want you desperately; power to keep your clothes on if you so choose. And feeling powerful makes you SEXY.
NUMBER 10: Being worshipped isn't all that.
You'll go nuts if he's absolutely devoted to you. So let him have a boys' night or throw himself into his work. A happy man will still be able to balance "crazy busy" and crazy about you. One of my favorite grown-up quotes? From Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex": "The knight departing for new adventures offends his lady, yet she has nothing but contempt for him if he remains at her feet."
NUMBER 11: We see what we want to see (and ignore the bad signs).
A guy will say, "Next time you play a gig, invite me!" And you think, Isn't that sweet? He likes me and supports my art and will probably marry me! But I have news: He would say the same thing to your GRANDMA if she were in a band. It's even possible to convince yourself that a guy who is acting distant or shady is doing so because he's overwhelmed by his love for you. But he isn't; he's acting distant and shady because he IS distant and shady! Wish I'd known that.
NUMBER 12: Don't compare yourself with your friends.
Some of them will settle down before you. Mine have been getting married steadily for the last decade. At some point I started to feel different, and that was a new and uncomfortable feeling for me. Rather than get anxious about it, I've tried to remind myself that it's not a race. Even when you've always been first in grades and jobs, you could be last in marrying. It's hard, but it doesn't mean anything about who you are as a person! Just that you're smart enough to wait for Mr. Eventually.
Monday, January 17, 2011
destiny...
The idea of destiny has been on my mind over break a bit. Like what is it really? I don't really think it exists. Why do we automatically assume we will turn out like our parents? Why do we assume we can only go as far as others expectations of us? Bottom line: who says we have to turn out like our parents or settle for something in life because others expect us to. We do not have a defined path of destiny, but (as cheesy as it sounds...) we choose our own destiny! Just an example, if a person has poor parents, they naturally have the mindset that they probably will turn out like their parents and therefore do not set high goals or try very hard in life because it is acceptable to the person's loved ones to turn out poor. (because poor parents can't judge their poor child right?). Or with guys for instance, if you're told a million times that you're worthless by guys--maybe by being cheated on or always being the one broken up with...you start to believe it is your destiny to end up alone. Or that you're not good enough. Well, the point is is that we choose our own destiny. We set our goals, limits, boundaries. Don't let other people restrain you from believing you can be amazing. It may not be intentional either that these people are putting limits on you and setting you up for a mediocre destiny. Every person has the power to change themselves for the better if they truly want to. Don't let yourself be confined to the expectations of others. Set up your path in life based on what makes you happy and believe that you deserve every ounce of that happiness. Find your self worth IN yourself and BY yourself! :)
Katie
Katie
Saturday, January 15, 2011
My break!
It seems as though most of my blogging friends made a post about the new year. I really can't seem to bring myself to write one. I feel like I just plain don't have any thoughts on it. Completely apathetic towards this "new" year. yes it's new but it is still just my life continuing on and there are no big changes. I suppose that is the point and I'm all of a sudden supposed to make big changes? No thanks, that's a lot of pressure. Just because the calender says Jan 1st, it doesn't make me want to do anything different. I'll want to do something different with my life when I am unsatisfied with my life and that could be next week, next month, who knows. It makes me brain hurt to try and remember everything I did in 2010.I figure anything awesome I did will come up in a memory this year.
So this break I went to Florida and Hawaii--i know i know i'm so spoiled blahh. Both trips were amazing! Visiting my friend from summer staff, Anna, in Florida was fun fun and more fun and we made this dance video for YouTube that we would like for it to go viral :) and maybe be on Ellen Degeneres if possible. Also went to Magic Kingdom at Disney World and got my sh** rocked on Space Mountain. best. ride. evaaa! Hawaii was a family vacation where we stayed with my Grandma's cousin, Auntie Gina, for 10 days and explored Maui. We did everything. Surf lessons, volcano 10,000 ft in the air, whale watching, road to Hana, Lavender farm (it was closed thank god), snorkeling and did it all in the comfort of Auntie Gina's amazing condo with king size beds, a pool and hot tub! I am truly blessed to have traveled as much as I have in my life (with my family) and this break has been un. real. I can't even stand the fact of starting school again. I don't remember how to live in my apartment or read or work. oh yeah! while I was in Florida I got a call from this woman I had interviewed with (i thought it went badly) but I got a Spring internship with Thumper Entertainment. They do the marketing for Roots N Blues festival and other live music things. I am their Copywriter intern. It's not at all what I want to do with my career (i want to work at an advertising agency and do more actual ADS like slogans and ad copy...i have a feeling this will be more journalistic writing....which i hate but hey an internship is an internship!) hopefully it will help me get an awesome internship this summer! which by the way ahh i have to start applying for...I'm going to apply to different ad agencies (and Hallmark! :) ) in Kansas City and Minneapolis. Welp, my cousin Rima just skyped me. and its 3am and im driving back to mizzou at 9am. SHOOT! BYE!
So this break I went to Florida and Hawaii--i know i know i'm so spoiled blahh. Both trips were amazing! Visiting my friend from summer staff, Anna, in Florida was fun fun and more fun and we made this dance video for YouTube that we would like for it to go viral :) and maybe be on Ellen Degeneres if possible. Also went to Magic Kingdom at Disney World and got my sh** rocked on Space Mountain. best. ride. evaaa! Hawaii was a family vacation where we stayed with my Grandma's cousin, Auntie Gina, for 10 days and explored Maui. We did everything. Surf lessons, volcano 10,000 ft in the air, whale watching, road to Hana, Lavender farm (it was closed thank god), snorkeling and did it all in the comfort of Auntie Gina's amazing condo with king size beds, a pool and hot tub! I am truly blessed to have traveled as much as I have in my life (with my family) and this break has been un. real. I can't even stand the fact of starting school again. I don't remember how to live in my apartment or read or work. oh yeah! while I was in Florida I got a call from this woman I had interviewed with (i thought it went badly) but I got a Spring internship with Thumper Entertainment. They do the marketing for Roots N Blues festival and other live music things. I am their Copywriter intern. It's not at all what I want to do with my career (i want to work at an advertising agency and do more actual ADS like slogans and ad copy...i have a feeling this will be more journalistic writing....which i hate but hey an internship is an internship!) hopefully it will help me get an awesome internship this summer! which by the way ahh i have to start applying for...I'm going to apply to different ad agencies (and Hallmark! :) ) in Kansas City and Minneapolis. Welp, my cousin Rima just skyped me. and its 3am and im driving back to mizzou at 9am. SHOOT! BYE!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Somewhat of a drought.
Man I have so many idols in my life it is ridiculous!!! I would say the two main ones would be technology and boys. By idols I mean these are things that I idolize and think will bring me happiness....things that replace God essentially. The saying, "Don't try to fix your problems and fit God in there too somewhere, but focus on God and everything will fix itself," has been going in one ear and out the other lately. I know that is what I need to be doing, yet I still look to many other things besides God to give me fulfillment in life. I am reading a book called Authentic Beauty and it is mostly about how to grow into a deep, close relationship with God and like focus your life around that closeness. When I read the book I want that relationship with God so badly, but then later I find myself concerned once again with the small, usually not important, worries of life. It is kind of crazy that it is hard for me to draw close to God because when I do...I am never disappointed. I am actually overjoyed. I feel true love in my heart and worthy of love and all good things. Maybe I am sick of experiencing that joy and then losing it time after time by inevitably getting buried in the world. Kind of like I know the high won't last longer than a day, a week, a month, so why have it at all? Or maybe it is because I say I want to draw near to Him, but I don't really. Not as much as I think I do. It's like I need a reason--a real low in my life to really truly seek God. That's the biggest thing I want to work on right there, seeking God everyday for how to live my life, not just calling on him when I am in need. I think the fact that it is Christmas break is motivating this whole post because break is a time to be lazy...not think about anything...but I really need to thank God for this time that he has given me an entire month to seek him with barely any outside distractions like school or jobs. There are a few books I want to read and I also want to dig into my new bible :) Let's hope I learn a little discipline.
Anywayyy, sorry for the "depressing struggle post". Just my thoughts out loud.
:) It's all good.
Katie
Anywayyy, sorry for the "depressing struggle post". Just my thoughts out loud.
:) It's all good.
Katie
Monday, December 13, 2010
My Candle
literally wrote this poem in about 2 minutes about my scented candle that i've come to love in the last 2 days while winter is blustering outside...
a flicker of light
a glimmer of hope
as the darkness creeps in the window
this flame stands in the way
and tells the darkness to step back
for it has things under control
taken care of in here
in this warm place
lighting up my room
lighting up my heart.
a flicker of light
a glimmer of hope
as the darkness creeps in the window
this flame stands in the way
and tells the darkness to step back
for it has things under control
taken care of in here
in this warm place
lighting up my room
lighting up my heart.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Beautiful Skyy!!
"The Palace Girls" had a dance party this past Friday in celebration of the twins 21st bday. I love these girls!!
One thing that I'm discovering I LOOOVE is the beautiful sky!!! (I wish my camera took better pictures! My photos don't really ever do the sky justice). I am in awe of a pretty sky unlike anything else. I have become quite the master of capturing beautiful sunsets on my drives to and from Missouri. I have some other sky pics that I will try and put up later but these are from my drive down to Missouri from Thanksgiving break at around 4pm. Enjoy! :)
Katie
Poetry week day 5 :)
This poem is my interpretation of the picture at the header of my blog. My friend Rachel, had this picture on facebook (It's a professional picture, she didn't take it) and I fell in love with it. Now it is everywhere from my Twitter homepage, to the background screen of my laptop, phone, and blog. I don't think a picture has ever spoken directly TO me like this one has. I. Love. It.
I am silent as I hear the breeze
hush through the trees.
The tall grass
tickles the back of my knees.
I toss my head back
and let the wind have its way with my hair.
I slowly close my eyes
as I escape with the breeze.
Floating away to a place of peace.
Every muscle in my body is relaxed.
And in this perfect moment, I belong to nature.
Katie
I am silent as I hear the breeze
hush through the trees.
The tall grass
tickles the back of my knees.
I toss my head back
and let the wind have its way with my hair.
I slowly close my eyes
as I escape with the breeze.
Floating away to a place of peace.
Every muscle in my body is relaxed.
And in this perfect moment, I belong to nature.
Katie
I wish I had 7 good poems...
Yellewww folks! Poetry week is put on hold due to I don't have any more poems ready to share...yet! It will continue in the near future though. (Could be tomorrow! but i skipped the weekend and it was bothering me so I had to address it).
Shout out to EEDS who told me about her blog today and shout out to Anna Egeln who is a baby blogger! (just startin out). Can't wait to read your girls' stuff!
11 days till i see my Anna love in sunny Florida! :)
How could finals get me down with such an AMAZING winter break ahead?!
Katie
P.S. just started following C.S. Lewis quotes on twitter!! (LOVE him) soo i'll leave you with this and there will be plenty more of these documented on this blog don't you worry.
In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself. - C.S. Lewis
Shout out to EEDS who told me about her blog today and shout out to Anna Egeln who is a baby blogger! (just startin out). Can't wait to read your girls' stuff!
11 days till i see my Anna love in sunny Florida! :)
How could finals get me down with such an AMAZING winter break ahead?!
Katie
P.S. just started following C.S. Lewis quotes on twitter!! (LOVE him) soo i'll leave you with this and there will be plenty more of these documented on this blog don't you worry.
In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity we find the poem itself. - C.S. Lewis
Friday, December 3, 2010
Poetry week day 4 :)
Like a volcano
Bubbly, brimming, and overheated
These thoughts will boil under the surface of my mind
Until they erupt on this page
and splatter as they melt away my pen
Anger, confusion, and hurt
Released into the air
To blow away with the ash in the wind
and in this writing, I am free.
Katie
Bubbly, brimming, and overheated
These thoughts will boil under the surface of my mind
Until they erupt on this page
and splatter as they melt away my pen
Anger, confusion, and hurt
Released into the air
To blow away with the ash in the wind
and in this writing, I am free.
Katie
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