Enjoy the ride

Life update. What else?!

2010-10-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Readers... Friends, Life is good. Not that my current situation is really any better than its been the last 5 months (sick. has it really been that long since I graduated?!) Its just that I look at my life differently now. And have had a serious attitude adjustment.

Things I've realized over the last few months that have made me an all around happier person:

1) God loves me always. And he is a great BFF to have when you are all alone in Topeka :)

2) I have been waiting months for God to show me his plan for my future. But then I had this epiphany. I've been treating my current situation as just a "transition phase", one that I only see as temporary and therefore haven't focused on anything other than what my life could be/will be like in the future. But umm. HELLO! NOW is time too. NOW is just as important to God as is three months from now. And why should I ever expect God to show me his will for my future if I'm not willing to seek/accept his will for me NOW. Such a simple concept yet somehow I've missed it all these months.

3) I love music. Plain and simple. I love it all. And will love it until the day I die. Is it creepy that I think about what songs I want to play at my funeral?...

4) I love Topeka and I don't care who knows it. Yea.. its a little trashy sometimes. But that's kind of what I love about it. The only thing that's missing is friends... and a job. Hence, I have to move.

5) The Chiefs are 4-2!

Well, its after 11 which means I am up past my bedtime soooo Guten Nacht!

On the up and up

2010-10-04T19:17:00.001-07:00

Ok. I realized that I needed to update my so that you all would have something to look at other than my depressing blog post down below.

Good news: Things have improved a lot for me since I wrote that!! All of you friends/readers came through like CHAMPS and sent me tons of love and support and it was perfect and just what I needed. And reminded me that I am not alone in Topeka with my cat. So thank you for that.

Oh! and my friend started a bible study that I joined and it has some other girls in that just graduated from K-State and had to move back home topeka and don't have friends anymore either... so now we are all friends! Plus our bible study rocks. When it is a group of new people ya never know if its going to mesh or not but we totally rocked it from the beginning. We all get along great and are really challenging each other in our bible study. It is awesome.

Speaking of challenging, I have to give an Ichthus shoutout. Our first night of bible study I literally mentioned Ichthus on four different occasions. It was like no matter what we were talking about, I had some anecdote to say about it based off something that John talked about during Ichthus. And most of the time people were impressed. It made me feel proud of Ichthus/John/made me realize just how much I did learn in my time there.

Well, I really don't want to just ramble so I'll end it here. Hopefully this was a little more encouraging to read.

Love you all!

Let's get real

2010-09-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Friends. Its time for me to be honest… and real. So often I ignore my own feelings… like what I’m truly feeling deep down and just focus on others. Partly because I have the mentality that whatever I’m going through is unimportant and I don’t want people taking pity on me when its no big deal. I like to handle things on my own. But this weekend I came to the realization that I am not always capable of giving myself what I need. Now don’t get me wrong; I look to God daily for support but never realized that he might be trying to use others as a way to provide me support.

So here is the situation: This whole being unable to land a job… living at home.. in Topeka with literally TWO friends… while working a job that kills my soul thing is starting to take its toll on me. The other day I got a rejection email from a job I had interviewed for and I started crying in my cube at kdot… what. the. heck?! That is NOT me. I am not that girl that cries. publicly. But its all just start to bring me down. I feel isolated in Topeka. And I’m realizing that I’m missing my support team. Its okay to admit that you’re down and out and that you need a little lovin’ from your friends. What’s weird though is that its not sadness I’ve been feeling. Its anger. I am mad… daily. For no specific reason. I’m just contstantly carrying around this pissed off feeling and I HATE IT. Its not me. And I’m not used to it. But don’t get too worried for me, I do still have hope. And I do everything in my power not to let these feelings totally bring me down. I still genuinely smile lots, laugh lots and do not hate my life J

I have just come to learn that it is okay to ask for help sometimes. Or more specifically in this case, ask for support. So friends, that is where you come in. It pains me to ask things of you (even though I know you are all more than willing to support me) but if you could just keep me in your thoughts and prayers and send a little lovin’ my way then that would be much appreciated. It is good to be reminded that I have people out there that are here for me when I’m not feeling so hot and I promise to start being more honest with you all in return. I miss you all lots and can’t wait till I get to see you each of you again!

Routine = Love/hate relationship

2010-08-31T17:51:00.001-07:00

My life in Topeka is a life of routine. My morning, afternoon and evening routines are all basically exactly the same everyday. There are things about routine that I love - I am more productive and it forces me to enjoy each day for what it is because tomorrow is going to be exactly the same so I might as well learn to love it. But at the same time after awhile that routine starts to drive me INSANE and I rebel in any little way that I can.

For example, the other day I drove through town to get to work instead of taking the highway. Yes, it took longer to get to work but it was worth it to be able to turn onto different streets and pass different buildings. This may not seem exciting at all but it is amazing how refreshing it was to change up that little routine in my life. OR I rebel against routine that people try and place on me. For example: my boss encourages everyone to wear yellow on Mondays to make Mondays a happier day. I did this for a few weeks until I realized that I hated the routine of it so one Monday I wore black.... mwahaha!

However, one routine in my life that I love and have no desire to change up anytime soon is my evening walk. Lennie (my dog) and I embark on a walk through the neighborhood every night around 8. I put on some good tunes and stroll through the streets bobbing my head and smiling at the neighbors. I see the same neighbors every night on my walk and I love it. There are the two elderly couples that sit in lawn chairs on their driveway and talk all night until it gets dark. There is the old Indian woman who walks slower than any human I've ever seen before but hey! at least she is out moving... and she does it all while wearing very colorful saris (which I love.) There is a dad with three kids that bike ride every night. And they all wear matching red helmets... precious! And there is my neighbor who sits in his driveway smoking pot all night with his friend... not as precious. But still, I love my evening walk and the people that share it with me.

So, although routine drives me crazy and causes me to wear my Richard Simmons shirt to work every once in awhile because I can no longer stand my 'work clothes'.... I have learned to make sure my life includes routines that make me happy because otherwise... what is the point?!

The end of an era

2010-05-10T13:07:00.001-07:00

Well here it is. My final week of college... of living in Manhattan.. of having the identity of "student". I feel like I should have all these profound thoughts, words of advice, regrets, etc. But instead I'm so overwhelmed with emotions that I've almost become emotionless.

I think you eventually reach a point where it is ending and there is nothing you can do about. And whether you are looking forward to the future or not, it is coming full steam ahead so you might as well welcome it with open arms!

I've loved these last four years. Looking back on it now I can see all the things I've learned, things I didn't even know I was learning at the time. I can also see how God used certain people in my life and certain situations to shape me and teach me. When I think back on college I will remember all the good times, good friends, good food and things I've learned. Which I don't think I could ask for much more than that!

So friends, I'm not sure what is in store for me after this. But I'm thankful for the past four years. And the role that each of you has played in my life :) Can't wait to see what the next four years holds for us!!

Bon Appetit

2010-04-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

So, I just finished watching Julie and Julia. A movie I have been wanting to see for a long time because I had a feeling I would love it; which I did.

However, now I am quite hungry and only in the mood for elaborate food such as duck or lobster, neither of which I have ever had and probably would not like.

But that movie made me feel like I should like sophisticated food. And that I can cook anything.

It’s the same way I felt after I watched Ratatouille.

If nothing else it reminds me that it is important to have passion for something in life that you love. Oh, and you can never have too much butter.

Veronika, der Lenz ist da

2010-03-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

I opened up blogger without really having a plan as to what I was going to write about. So, I'll just write whatever comes to mind. This could be fun.

a) 7 weeks of school left... then I GRADUATE!! As much sadness is filled with leaving this place, I can honestly say that I am really excited. Stepping away from everything here for a week during spring break was good for me. For some reason, I think more clearly/my life makes more sense when I'm in Topeka. maybe that's just the magic of Topeka... or should I say, Google. ;)

b) Still have no clue what I'm doing after graduation but I'm not worried about it. I trust that the right opportunity will come along when it is supposed to. Which feels good.

c) Spring is technically here! I'm excited for warm days and playing soccer with Kristen. Also, I can't help but think of a german song by an old singing group called Comedian Harmonists that were very popular in Europe until the mid 1930's. After that things got rocky because several of the members were Jewish. However, their music lives on and the "group" is back (with new members obviously). So, here is the modern comedian harmonists singing the song that I find myself singing everyday because the main line is, "Veronika, der lenz ist da" which translates to, "Veronica, the spring is here". You will probably think it is weird (which it is) but that is why I love the Germans. Plus now you've expanded your cultural horizons for the day.

d) The Dawson family is going to see Earth Wind & Fire at starlight at the end of May. I can't wait!! oh, and we have an extra ticket. So feel free to bribe your way into getting to join in on the best evening of your life.

e) My lovely friend/fellow blogger, Sara, is getting married soon and it is going to be a glorious occasion!!

And finally,

f) I have found that I talk to myself. a lot. My roommate Katie has caught me on several occasions walking and talking to myself. It is kind of embarrassing but at the same time, I can't help it if I enjoy spending time with myself. Kelsie is always great to talk with. ;)

Weird place

2010-03-01T21:10:00.000-08:00

I'm in a weird place right now. In terms of my feelings. (yes, I'm going to talk about my feelings. Rare... but it does happen) The fact that spring break is under 2 weeks away which means the semester is almost half over which means I'm almost graduating and leaving behind a world that I spent the last 4 years building.... is intense. And it seems like every few weeks I have a different set of emotions on how I feel about it. Sometimes excited. Sometimes nervous. Sometimes confused. As of late I think I have been feeling sad yet understanding with a splash of hopeful.

Now I know I said I was going to talk about my feelings but really, I think a song montage would do the job so much better. Here is a video list of songs that I have been listening to non-stop the past 2 weeks because they express how I feel on the inside in one way or another.

Stay tuned - my emotions change at the drop of a hat these days so I'm sure in a week or two I will have a whole new set of emotions/songs swirling around inside me!

I have a dream

2010-02-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

... to be on the Amazing Race. I have had this dream for years and years and years. But you have to be 21 to be on the show. I remember when I was youngin' I didn't think the show would be on on anymore by the time I was 21 BUUUUUT here I am 21 and here they are holding open casting calls for the show in Topeka!!

http://www.wibw.com/blogs/mytv/82603032.html

Luckily, my friend Sarah and I have been prepping for this day (just in case) and made an application video this summer. The video is ready to go, the application is being filled out and on Monday she will submit the video and application at the casting call.

I may have found what I'm doing with myself after graduation... Amazing Race Season 17 here I come!!!

Live from the Ladies Den

2010-01-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

Where have I been?!

2010-01-26T21:54:00.001-08:00

That's a good question.

And I wish I knew.
Really, I've been living the dream. School has taken a backseat for me this semester and it is fabulous :) Although, I have been devoting much more time to my internship... which is probably for the best.

I really have nothing to say. I have been terribly uninspired for weeks now. So, my backup plan is to post an email I received from my grandpa mere minutes after the K-State game ended this evening.

Subject Line: beardaphobia
"great win for the cats tonite in waco. the baylor bears definitely shoulda feared that beard. pullen was awesome. the martini men are back in the thick of things.
go kels! -Pa"

The martini men? I love it.

Sleep?

2009-12-06T20:42:00.001-08:00

In all of the stress of last week and this week, it is difficult to lay down at night and relax enough to fall asleep.

So, I have developed a routine the last few nights that allows me to relax, breathe easy, and drift to sleep.

I listen to this. Works every time.

If there was one person I would want to sing me lullabies, it's Ingrid.

Thank you for this song, Ingrid.

15 hours

2009-11-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

That's how long I've been in Manhattan for since returning from Thanksgiving break (Which I spent in Texas and it was great, btw)

Here is a breakdown of how these 15 hours have been spent:
5 sleeping
6 working with 2 different groups on group projects that are looming.
2 working on individual homework
2 unpacking/showering/reading
= 15 hours total.

Break is over and school is back. And I am in ultimate crunch mode. I will be spending all of my time working on school. So, if you are too then feel free to join me!

On a good note though: I have rediscovered reese's sticks. Does anyone remember these?? They are delicious. I totally forgot they existed until I won some playing white elephant bingo with my family.
Yes, we play white elephant bingo. And yes, I won candy, potholders and a knife set.

Good things in my life

2009-11-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

1.) Christmas: For the first time since I was in grade school, I have made a Christmas wish list. I was supposed to be studying but found it to be overrated so I made a really cool wish list on the computer (that includes clipart… and word art!).

2.) Laptops: My new favorite thing is checking out laptops at the library. It makes me feel cool (kewl) and like a real college student. Plus I feel free to do whatever I want on it; unlike the library desktops where people judge you if you aren’t doing real work on them 100% of the time.

3.) Usher: I am re-in love with Usher. Good songs. Great dance moves. Plus he is HOTT. He reminds me of a black Matthew Mcconaughey… he always manages to take his shirt off. Even when it’s totally unnecessary. But if my abs looked like his, I don’t think I would wear a shirt either.

4.) Home cooked food: Tricia and I dine with the A.D. on Thursday. Hopefully I don’t spill something on me. He is making us steak. I’m also really hoping there are potatoes with it!And corn. And bread.

5.) Let’s go to Colorado this weekend.

Dear Future Husband,

2009-11-12T12:58:00.001-08:00

If you make me.... correction: WHEN you make me mad, there is a simple solution that will (mostly) fix everything and get you out of the dog house.

Just buy me this. It equals instant happiness.

Forever yours,

Kelsie

Karma is a b*tch

2009-11-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

I dressed up as the swine flu for Halloween.

The next day, I became ill. And was down and out with a badass flu for an entire week.

Do I think I got sick because I tempted the swine with my costume?

Absolutely.

If I had know my Halloween costume would come true then I would have dressed up as Vanna White. (can you say dream job!)

Grandpa love

2009-10-25T16:02:00.001-07:00

It is time for a blog update. but I really have nothing to say. So to follow Tricia's lead, I am going to post an email from a grandparent.

I received this email from my grandpa last night.

Subject line: katz

"kels... i tried to promote a visitation to sat's game, but nana said to wait for hoops. i assume you were roaming the sidelines yest. nice win for ksu and if anyone had any lingering doubts about bill snyder's coaching prowess, they should be taken to the woodshed. happy halloween! pa"

taken to the woodshed?! that sounds totally creepy!

But I love my grandpa, so its fine.

Apathetic State of Mind

2009-10-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Is it terrible that I kind of don't want to graduate with a job lined up?

I know it is probably a little irresponsible but so far my life has been one planned thing lined up after another... and its making me crazy!

I love the thought of graduating with no plan. Taking the summer to enjoy my new found freedom and eventually finding a job. Having that deadline of: must find job by end of school year is really cramping my style...

I literally have no desire to start do anything in terms of finding a job. I've been ignoring my resume. Ignoring job fairs. And not even attempting to find jobs to apply for.

And it feels great.

Perhaps this feeling of apathy will pass as the year goes on.... then again, perhaps not.

We shall see!!

Simple pleasures

2009-10-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling completely defeated for no reason?

That was me this morning.

I had had a wonderful fall break and was in no way ready to return to my life. I woke up this morning feeling grouchy, blue and just generally unpleasant. I couldn't seem to think of a single positive thing about the day.

My head was swarming with thoughts of, "why is fall break over?", "why do i have to start the week off with my least favorite class?", "why is my alarm already going off?", "why is it cold outside?", "why is thanksgiving so far away" "why do i have nothing for breakfast...", etc.

Clearly, I was having a negative attitude. And as I embarked on my journey to class, I remember thinking, "okay, i can tell today is going to be a dismal day and there is nothing I can do it about it, so i'm just going to have to accept it and hope that it ends quickly".

However, as I'm cutting through the MCC campus, I see my friend Jess walking and she beckons me over. This little surprise meeting makes me smile, for now I have a friend to entertain me on my walk to class. Plus, she has a huge chocolate muffin that she couldn't possibly eat alone, so I help her dispose of it. and its delicious. And I arrive at (my most hated class) feeling marginally better.

From there, things only get better. My teacher announces that instead of having our test this Thursday, it has been moved to Tuesday. GREAT NEWS!! I was in no mood to study for that test this week and now I don't have too. What a surprise turn of events!!

I then head to the union for my usual break. I discover that I have forgotten my wallet and am very hungry... but Tricia is a pal and buys me a chicken sandwich. which always equals happiness :)

And then I go to the restroom and over the restroom speakers I hear they are playing the song, "The winner takes it all". Which is one of my favorite Abba/Mamma Mia songs. And because no on else is in the bathroom, I get to sing-a-long!

For the rest of the day I have a great attitude and feel 100x better than I did when I woke up.

I was amazed at how quickly and unexpectedly my day took a turn for the better. I couldn't help but think of how unexpected God is and how we shouldn't become discouraged, for we never know what he has in store for us, right around the corner.

Moral of the story: Ya never know when something great is going to happen. And never underestimate the simple pleasures in life. Sharing your chocolate muffin with a friend can go a long ways!

I Love Lucy

2009-09-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the class with the chipotle give-a-way. Tonight she chose the winner by saying a random number. And if our seat had that number, then we won! She said number 73.... I was seat number 70. SO CLOSE!! Why didn't I sit 3 seats over?!

She said she has a bunch of gift certificates to chipotle as well, so she'll start handing them out.

If... no, WHEN, I get one. I promise to take you.

Tonight in class I learned that men have a fear of rejection.

Guys, is this true? If so, that poses a problem considering that females expect you to make the first move.

Take my advice on this one: Don't ever let the fear of rejection stop you.

OR if a sports analogy is more up your alley, then this could be applied as well: you will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

On another note, here is a little nugget of information you may not know about me. Since I was a small child, I have LOVED the tv show "I Love Lucy". On Saturday nights they used to have 3 hours of Lucy. It was 2 episodes of I Love Lucy, one (hour long) episode of the Lucy/Desi Comedy hour, and 2 episodes of the Lucy Show. It was heaven for me. I remember in particular one birthday of mine fell on a Saturday. and i was soooo excited because it meant I got to spend my birthday watching Lucy. Which for me, was the perfect way to spend a day. So, even though many of you may not enjoy the show. Here is a little clip from one of her more famous episodes.

Enjoy :) (I know I did/still do!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wp3m1vg06Q

As of late...

2009-09-22T14:39:00.001-07:00

Sam was right. The blog post that had 'disappeared' was actually in my drafts. But I'm not going to post it now because all the info is old news and irrelevant.

But brownie points to sam for figuring that out!

Hmmm what is going on in my life right now:

I need to go to the dentist. I think a filling fell out and my tooth hurts because of it. I need to get it refilled otherwise, as my mom said: "your tooth will fall out"....

On the Saturday of Fall Break, a friend of the Dawson Family is throwing a party called 'Fall Festival' in Topeka. And my dad's band is performing. It should be quite the spectacle. The man throwing the party has a long curly mullet... and there is going to be inflatable things there.

My dad told me I am invited to come and should feel free to bring friends with me.

Who's in?

Pet peeve: I think it is very rude when people start packing up early in class before the teacher is done talking. It drives me crazy. I hope none of you faithful blog readers out there do this!

Well. That's all I have to report for now. Sorry this was all over the place.

I will leave you with these closing remarks:

Here is the only video I have of my dad performing. It was taken at my parent's 25th wedding anniversary. The picture is super dark and the sound quality is terrible. Plus the guy filming it was sitting next to my Grandpa (who was singing-a-long) so all you can really hear is my grandpa singing the whole time. You can't actually see or hear my dad's band.

I figured it was better than nothing though?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neZWu0tZY6k

Better luck next time

2009-09-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

I just wrote a really great blog post and then it disappeared. I don't know where it went...
Probably cyberspace.

I'm sorry.

I tried to update this but blogger failed me.

I guess you could call it a fail blog!

Is it okay to pray for free chipotle?

2009-09-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

I am so tired lately. Its crazy. It is currently 9:30 and I could get in bed and fall asleep immediately right now.

I used to be one of those people that always stayed up until about 1 am during the week. But this year I have been averaging a 10:00 bedtime. What's wrong with me?!

In other news:

In of my classes there is a fun give-away that happens every week (this class only meets on Mondays). There is a giant cardboard 'box', wrapped in foil and shaped like a chipotle burrito that my teacher has. And every week, my teacher draws a name of someone in the class and that person wins the giant 'burrito'. Which means that if you take the burrito into chipotle, then you and a friend each get free burritos!

This past Monday, I unfortunately did not win. A girl from my high school did... BUT I have hope. We have 13 class periods left. I'm bound to win... right?!

If I win, I have to pick a friend to come get free burritos with me.
Feel free to bribe me so that I'll pick you.

And so it begins...

2009-08-28T12:26:00.001-07:00

ahhh blog... i've been avoiding you.
but I figure its probably time for an update.

well the new school year is upon us and I must admit, i'm not thrilled. This is the first year of college that I really didn't want to start classes. Senior year is very weird and I'm feeling all kinds of emotions... many of which are contradictory to each other.

So how do i cope?

Try not to think about things. Trust in the Lord always. and focus on the here and now. I like to enjoy each day and not allow myself to get bogged down by too many things.
I'm a pretty simple girl... and I'm okay with that.

Here is a list of good things about Senior Year (so far):
1. I started the year off with a return trip to Colorado with my favorite people. and it was wonderful. So hard to come back. but I'm glad we went and can't wait till we all travel together again!

2. My internship. As i have spent more time working for my internship, i've really grown to enjoy it. I like a lot of the people and I genuinely enjoy most of the work. the experience it provides me is going to be awesome when i'm job hunting in the (very) near future.

3. Pulling rank. I love dropping the ole' "i'm a senior" thing when i want to establish rank amongst peers, adults, etc.

4. I really like all of my classes except for one... that being Law of Mass Comm. but I figure 4 out of 5 ain't bad (pardon my use of ain't. it was for literary effect)

Well that's really all I have going on right now. I am relieved to be done with the first week of class and am happy to begin the weekend. I have skillfully avoided having to work at all this weekend so I am a free bird!

Let's play.

The Great Pencil Protest of 09'

2009-07-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'M BAAAACK!! That's right blog fans, I am alive and blogging.

And if you thought I was kidding when I said the only thing I would have to report this summer is about office pens at work.... I was serious. (the following story is pretty long, but if you are bored, you should read it. Its a classic day in the office!):

This summer when I returned to KDOT I went into the supply room to get a pencil. Now, KDOT normally has these maroon mechanical pencils that I absolutely love but I when I went in there to get one... they were no where to be found. They had been replaced by a black mechanical pencil that was, in my opinion, a shotty piece of craftmanship.

So, being the good employee that I am, I took the new black pencil, walked back to my cube and didn't question as to where my old favorite pencils had gone.

A few weeks later we got an email from the receptionist Mike (whom I like to call the manceptionist) explaining that we were allowed to cast a vote as to whether we liked the maroon pencils or the black pencils better. The pencil with the most votes would become the permanent KDOT pencil.

I immediately cast a vote for the maroon pencil and started asking my surrounding cube mates what pencil they were in favor of. A few of us got to talking and I realized that I was not alone in my dislike for the black pencil. There were others out there who also loved the maroon and wanted nothing more than to see its return to KDOT.

Jokingly, my cube mate and I suggested that we must protest the black pencil by staging a sit-in in the supply room until our demands were met.

A lady that sits next to us said, "yea that's a great idea! or we could make maroon arm bands and wear them around the office in support of the maroon pencil".
We all laughed but none of us took the idea as serious.

However, 20 minutes later that lady came into our cube holding maroon strips of paper and said to us, "give me your arm. I've got armbands."

Needless to say, my 2 cube mates and I each grabbed a maroon strip of paper and taped it around our arms to show our support of the maroon pencil. I also saw others in our unit walking around with maroon armbands, as well.

So, that was it. The office had officially been split into two groups:
The maroon supporters... and everyone else. You could feel the tension in the air!

We were all very confident that our display of support for the maroon pencil would persuade others to vote for it and therefore, KDOT would once again supply us with the maroon pencils we so greatly desired!

However, about 2 hours after our whole armband protest began, we received an email from the manceptionist saying, "alright, I just checked with our supplier and looks like the maroon pencil has been discontinued. Black wins by default"

EXCUSE ME?! DISCONTINUED?!

Heartbreaker....

After receiving the email we all ripped off our maroon armbands and tossed them in the trash. It was as if the whole thing had never happened.

But for me, the Great Pencil Protest of 09' will forever be a day I remember.

PTL!

2009-05-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord, i just took my last german test EVER! I have had four long semesters with german. Four long classes that equal 19 credit hours of german total.

I just took my german final and it was.... interesting. Our teacher sent us a studyguide online and when i opened it to look at it, it said: you cannot study for this final. either you know the information or you dont.

GREAT.

that's helpful...

So, I have no idea how I did on the final. but hopefully I did average. I'm hoping for the best!

As much as I am relieved to never again have to take a german test, write a german paper, memorize german vocabulary or sit through a class where a teacher asks you a question and all you can do is stare at her because you dont know what she said, I will also greatly miss german. For some strange, I love the german language. That's probably why I took 4 classes of it.

I love knowing how to speak another language. Right now I am at my prime when it comes to speaking german. I have peaked, if you will. I speak, hear and write german quite fluently and I'm sad that everyday I spend away from german class, I'll be losing some of my german skills.

If ya don't use it then ya lose it.

Maybe this means i should travel to germany?!

Sports, Bread and Shag Carpet

2009-05-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Alright folks, this is the moment you've been waiting for.... i'm updating my blog!!

Hmm. What's new in my life?

a.) I finally got an internship! with kstate athletics! as did Tricia! this is good news for many reasons: the internship is durinng the school year so I can still work at KDOT this summer (yay?). Also, I can go to all the football and basketball games for free so I dont have to buy any tickets this year.

b.) The lady Aardvarks lost their first soccer game the other night. but we're still in the playoffs so no biggie. We duel it out tonight in the first playoff game.

c.) My mom and my Nana are coming to visit me this Friday. Which means I need to clean my room. Gotta keep up appearances for Nana!

d.) I am out of food right now. I have nothing to eat. All I want is some sandwich bread and some chips. I have stuff to put on the bread... just no bread. And i'm out of POP!! Clearly, I'm living in a state of destruction.

e.) I have tons of projects and papers and test to cram in sometime in the next 7 days. and really just not enough time to do it. But i'm sure you can all relate.

f.) my parents are re-doing our basement. my brother used to live in the basement and so things got really weird and smelly down there. but he moved out and so now we are completely re-doing it. New paint, new carpet, new furniture, the whole works. My parents are making it music themed (they would...). I think there is going to be shag carpet. And record covers on the walls. How groovy of them.

Well that's all I've got for now. Don't expect many posts from me this summer. Not because I'll be too busy having fun adventures. But because I'll i have absolutely nothing to write about.

Unless you want to read a post about how we got new pens at work and it was really exciting.

Peaceful Easy Feeling

2009-04-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling very at peace lately. Everything feels right in my life. And I’m very hopeful about the future. I've always been a pretty content person but these last few weeks I have felt an overwhelming sense of peace like I've never known.
The Lord has placed a feeling of peace within me and it is so satisfying.
I feel open and ready to new possibilities.

I guess what I’m trying to say is… everything’s right.

(yes, that was a Matt Wertz shout out)

And for an extra special treat, here is a little something that I’ve been spending a lot of time with lately. If you know me well then you know that I can spend endless hours, just laying on my bed listening to music. Its one of my favorite things to do and is where I get my best thinking done.
These past few days I have been listening to this on repeat. I always have one song that I listen to constantly for a few weeks because it fits with my mood at the time. And right now, this is it.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLwZxcObRT0

Update

2009-04-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

Here is a little update on the Life and Times of Kelsie:

1.) I have been eating a lot of grapes lately. to the point where they make my stomach hurt... I'm wondering what the nutritonal value of grapes is?

2.) I have an interview on Monday for an internship! and I need to get an interview outfit. All of my appropriate interview clothes are from high school and do not fit properly anymore.

3.) The (baby) Aardvarks still have not won a game. Let alone, scored a goal. Kristen and I are beginning to wonder if it is a result of bad coaching on our part...

4.) The (Lady) Aardvarks are 3-0 and have made it to the playoffs! I'm hoping to earn my first ever intramural champions t-shirt. wish us luck!

5.) FARM DAY IS THIS WEEKEND and I am more than excited! especially because we get to spend some time in wonderful Topeka and eat at Olive Garden!! (i love breadsticks!)

peace, love and breadsticks,

Blog rant

2009-04-16T13:57:00.001-07:00

Here is my rant for the day. Sorry if it is a little negative. but I figured it is better for me to complain via blog then complain to you all in person (where you would be forced to listen). agreed?

Today for my MC research class, we got divided into focus groups and got to talk about everything that is wrong with K-State's Journalism and Mass Communications School.
It was wonderful.

There were about 15 students from the JMC school in my group and we just got to sit there and bash the JMC school. Which to some of you may sound harsh, but believe me, it was necessary.

We got to complain about out of date teachers that dont know how to use the software we use in classes and therefore have other students come to class to teach it. we talked about mean office staff (tricia: you know who i'm talking about), that everyone wants to get rid of. we talked about how our classes dont prepare us for the workforce at all and we gave them a long list of things that we would like to see changed, added, removed, etc. from the JMC school.

Unfortunately, it is a little late for me to see many of these changes. I will graduate before much change is completed. However, it feels dang good to let out your frustrations after spending 3 years in a JMC school that is from the stone age.

Fun JMC story: tricia and i are in a class together this semester that is taught by an old man that has clearly not updated his curriculum since 1990. he showed us a video that was literally from 1990, and then a fews week later... he showed it again! we had to watch the same video twice. and he didn't even realize it. (a great use of my time and tuition money)

I dont ever want to watch a video that is 20 years old... let alone, watch it twice.

Soccer Frenzy!

2009-04-07T21:48:00.000-07:00

I just finished an evening full of soccer. And it was wonderful.

The (baby) Aardvarks, which is the little boys team that Kristen and I coach, had their second game of the season tonight. The final score was 0-0 which is an improvement from the 5-0 beating they received last week. Plus, our boys dominated most of the time. Just couldn’t score a goal! This game was much more physical than our first. Multiple injuries. But our boys took them like men. They all earned a man card tonight!

All of you need to come watch a game sometime. Seriously. It is so hilarious. You won’t regret coming. We have a game on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. BE THERE!… or else!

Once the (baby) Aardvarks game was over, I had to take off my coach’s cap and put on my player’s cap. I had my first intramural indoor soccer game of the season tonight. Kristen is also on this team with me, along with Katie and some other fabulous ladies (we are also called the Aardvarks….. Confusing? Deal with it).
I think we were all a little nervous before the game. For most of us, it had been a few years since we really played but we did great! We won 5-1. But we scored on ourselves so really it doesn’t count. Let’s call it 5-0, yes?

It felt GREAT to be playing again. Just like riding a bike! Although, I definitely noticed that some of my foot skills weren’t what they used to be, nor was my stamina. I am old and not in shape like I used to be!

You are all welcome to come watch us play, as well! However, we might not be as entertaining as the little guys. But if we make it to the playoffs then I’ll expect some fans to be rooting us on!

Aardvarks

2009-03-30T18:12:00.001-07:00

Well I just finished coaching my second practice for my little boys soccer team and i'm loving it! In case you all have forgotten, Kristen and I are coaching a team full of 1st and 2nd grade boys. (little boys are crazy!)

Tomorrow is our first game and I'm interested to see how we do. I won't be shocked if we are terrible. But really I just hope they have fun. Kristen and I will get to put our "coaching skills" to the test and try and pull out a victory for our little Aardvarks. (yes the team name is Aardvarks, and no we didn't pick it).

Too bad the Aardvark is a hideous looking animal.

Fun fact: the Aardvark is a nocturnal mammal that can suck up close to 50,000 ants in one night. YUM!

I expect all of you faithful blogger readers out there to attend at least one Aardvark game this season. I mean, who wouldn't love to come watch Kristen and I wear matching t-shirts and "yell" at little boys?!

See you all tomorrow night. 7 pm. Griffith Park,

*FMOMD: Kristen and I started a new tradition tonight, of taking a jog around Cico park after practice and it was a great decision. Perfect way to work in a nice workout. I've missed running!

Ask and you shall receive

2009-03-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

Great news.
I woke up this morning with 3 very promising leads in my internship hunt!! Just yesterday I was writing an angry blog about how its impossible to find one right now and then... bam! today I have options. Who knew my blog held such power?!

(Or maybe its because I really prayed about it last night.... ahh the power of prayer!)

Damn economy

2009-03-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

I hate internship hunting. It is absolutely impossible to find one these days. As I was getting on here to write a blog about how hard it is to find one, I saw that tricia had just written a post about it too.
That is proof that it is next to impossible to find one. I am starting to get stressed about it.... like really stressed.

Remain calm.

*this a record for shortest time between my blog posts.
Your welcome :)

Help!

2009-03-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

You know what's crazy? In person I have plenty of things to say. I'd like to think I could always come up with something to talk about. But when it comes to blogging, i've got NOTHING.
I sit down at my (desktop...) computer and stare at the screen. My mind goes blank. Its terrible.
Thus, my lack of blogging and plea for help.

Someone should come up with blog ideas for me and I will write about them. Deal?

Well as I'm sure everyone knows, I went on a trip to Colorado over spring break. It was myself, kristen, brian and sam. And it was wonderful! You've probably already heard all the details about it, read other blogs, and seen pictures so I won't bore you with that. All I will say is that it was an awesome trip with a perfect group of people and I want to thank them for being such great traveling buddies!

Other quick updates on the exciting life of Kelsie:
- finding an internship for the summer is easier said than done.
- my family is in the market for a new dog which means several trips to the Humane Society, walking through aisles of cages with barking dogs and weird smells...
- kristen and I are coaching a 1st/2nd grade boys soccer team and tomorrow is our first practice. Wish us luck!
- it looks like Spring is upon us and i'm so excited. Who's up for joining me in some outdoor activities?!

peace, love and Colorado,

KD

Thanks for nothing Oprah

2009-02-12T01:12:00.000-08:00

Its 3:15 in the morning. and I'm wide awake. i'm at that point where staying up all night seems like a normal option... which we all know it never is!

I do not nap. I'm not a napper. I dont like it. esepcially because if I nap for more than 20 mins, i can't sleep later.

WELL, today i was snuggled up on the couch, watching some Oprah and around 4:30 I accidentally fell asleep. and slept for 2 HOURS. before jena found me and woke me up. PTL!

so now its 3:15. and i cant sleep because of my stupid nap. and i'm really angry. i'm doing that thing people recommend where you get out of bed for a while and do something else. and then return to bed to try and sleep again.

I guess Oprah's show wasn't entertaining enough to keep me awake earlier... thanks for nothing Oprah.

peace, love and not Oprah,

KD

I am the Tinman

2009-01-16T15:56:00.001-08:00

Hello to all of my fans out there! I've had several (two) requests to update my blog, so here we go!

School is back upon us and for the first time since entering college, i was not looking forward to it at all. Winter break was pretty boring for me. just working 8 hours a day in my cubicle and going to bed at 10 everynight. I'm someone that if allowed to, i can be a huge homebody. I spent every single night alone, watching tv online and i loved every minute of it. Now, i am adjusting to having to be social again. but its good for me. otherwise i will turn into the old lady that lives alone with 25 cats. (ah, what a life that would be!)

Goal for the semester: try and be a little less mean/cold-hearted/souless. People keep claiming that I am cold-hearted and often mean. And they're probably correct. although, i'm not like that with everyone. I just have a low tolerance for certain people and certain situations. Sometimes I can be very caring! But never the less, i do agree, that I could be more caring. So, i'm going to try and be nicer this semester. Maybe chip away at this heart of stone of mine. I don't want to be an Ice Queen! I feel like the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz... "if i only had a heart!" But bear with me, because it will take baby steps. (HAS ANYONE SEEN THE MOVIE "WHAT ABOUT BOB"?!)

really, i think what i need to get me back in the swing of things is a good ole' fashioned dance party. i just need to dance the night away. feel the music bumpin'. that's all i need :)

i love you all.

peace, love and reality tv,

KD.

FMOMD: my women's studies teacher wore a skirt to class that barely covered her butt. and she wore a black choker from 1992. the 90's are alive and well and I'm fully prepared to embrace it.

Fat guy in a little coat

2008-12-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well ladies and gentleman, it is the end of the semester and school is upon us.
I'm still a little confused by dead week. I'm going to say that we do not have one. I had 3 german tests this week.
a.) you shouldn't have tests during dead week.
b.) you shouldn't have 3 tests in one class, in one week... EVER.

I've written one page of my 10 page research paper for women and violence. I gave myself a mental goal of: have paper done by monday. So looks like i'll be doing most of it this weekend. Feel free to come join me in the library!

Speaking of library, Hale is out of control these days. Impossible to find computers or tables. I've been taking my hot self over to the public library and studying with all the manhattan locals. Lots more open tables. And way more entertaining people watching.

Is it bad that I haven't even started thinking about my finals yet? I've just had too much extra crap due this week that i haven't been able to think about finals. Maybe i'll do that sometime soon...

okay well i know you all have your own schoolwork stresses so i'm sorry you had to read about mine. Just try and power through and then we get sweet freedom for a few weeks. (if you can call sitting in a cubicle at KDOT freedom...)

i love you all.

peace, love and KDOT,

KD.

Favorite moment of my day (FMOMD): walking on a campus and guy comes towards me singing, "fat guy in a little coat... fat guy in a little coat". i wasn't sure how to react but it made me really want to watch tommy boy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YWwQZp7r_8

Creamed corn

2008-11-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

So do to peer-pressure (kristen) and my own curiosity, I have begun a blog!! Now, I must admit that I have blogged before. Back around my junior year I shared a blog with a friend of mine and I am now thoroughly embarassed by the things I wrote in it (i wrote an entire blog about how great my cat was...) And if you want to get really embarassing, then feast your eyes on my XANGA. yep, that's right. Xanga. From like freshman year. They were all the rage, and me being the trendy girl that I am, hopped right on!

My roomates have been force feeding me lately. And its definitely not because I dont eat enough. As I type, there is a cupcake laying in my bed.... I dont want to talk about it. And I was eating a cookie on my way to the shower earlier. And Lauren made this delicious corn concoction and if you know me at all, then you know I love corn and gobbled up a large bowl of it earlier. And dont be fooled into thinking it was healthy because it had corn in it. It also has butter and cream cheese. I guess you would call it creamed corn.
Whatever. Its the holidays.... eat on!!

Okay well I know the number one rule for blogging is: never blog if you dont have something to say. So i'm going to end this here. I just wanted to start it up and get it to the masses. And by masses, I mean like the 3 people I know that have blogs. I really dont want my thoughts being read by very many people!

Peace, love and corn,

KD