Do you ever see those days looming ahead on your calendar and all you can do in that moment is laugh?
It's as if the universe collided with some ridiculous and utterly insane force and created one day, that will be great, hard, wonderful and everything in between.
That's December 4. Let's see, first up- it's Mollie's final interview for TFA, I could basically pee my pants I'm so excited for her, I know that she will stun and woo the entire crowd with her amazing and actually PERFECT skills for their program, but regardless- this is major big deal.
Next up is our Ugly Sweater Christmas Party, now to you this may seem horribly trivial and actually ridiculous, but 4W likes to celebrate the holidays. And last year, since one roommate in particular was about to move across the ocean, we sadly turned our holiday get together into a "Ciao Bella celebration" this year, ugly sweaters will be worn by all, and carols around the tree will ensue.
Oh, did I mention that Dec. 4 is the day the verdict of the Amanda Knox trial is announced? I'm not sleeping the night before, I'll tell you that right now... everyone by now I'm SURE knows how I feel,and in order to save myself from the threats I receive via e-mail whenever I blog about it, I'll say this much- I am hoping that justice will be served.
Next up, Television Department Premiere Night. This is when the entire TV department gets together, eats popcorn, everyone brings dates and friends, and then we watch ourselves on TV...
Followed by last but CERTAINLY not least, Mizz Lori Willson my friend and boss will be in town for a lunch date. I'm so excited to see her and show her my place! :) She'll be busy Christmas shopping all weekend, but I'm glad we will have chat time that afternoon.
Tomorrow I head home for some Franksgiving, mmm mmmm I can almost taste that turkey now.
Recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the future... Dec 4 is the future, along with May, along with ten years from now. If I've learned one thing- it's that I need to take this life a day at a time, and look at the upcoming events as exciting endeavours, and I've vowed not to stress-away my last semester of college and living with my best friends. Opportunities will arise, I'll get my feet wet slowly, and when the time is right- I'll take a plunge. Until then, one day at a time.:)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
So here's to Dec 4 and the range of emotions it'll bring
and here's to taking it one day at a time, and looking forward not with fear- but with energy.
<3
Kalin
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
"We'll All Float On"
In a rather strange turn of events my weekend turned out to be very productive, and amazing.
I covered the Mag Mile Lights Festival for my internship this weekend. The festival was all day yesterday, and since all of my coverage was via social media I brought Moll and Josh, both iPhone users to help me out.
We were ALL OVER the city. Walking miles and fighting off crowds we actually had a wonderful time... but the highlight would not come until later in the evening. There was talk of us snagging a ride on the National Concierge Association float but nothing was confirmed until we met with a co-worker of mine who gave us the golden ticket.... there was going to be room for all three of us.
Moments later, don't ask me how it happened, but the three of us had been given santa hats, 4 foot tall candy canes, and seated on a float "candy cane" themed that was blaring Christmas music.
I blinked and we were headed down Michigan Ave in front of ONE MILLION people lining the streets. My arm was numb from waving, but those people waiting against those fences for three hours in the cold kept it moving. It was SO MUCH FUN. Sadly, we did not get any air time on Channel 7... it seems to be that the NCA isn't as popular as The Plain White T's or the Radio Disney Crew, but even after it all we laughed as it was the perfect way to kick off our holiday season.
Later we went out to celebrate Dina's 21st birthday. She is baby of the group so it was the first time we ALLL could be together for the entire evening to celebrate! It was so much fun, especially seeing some old faces that I've missed dearly.
Today was a productive lazy Sunday. Sounds impossible, but a refreshing walk to the grocery store and a batch of homemade blueberry muffins added a definite perk to this usually unproductive day.
I'm super excited for Franksgiving! SO SOON!!! Egan and I head home Tuesday evening, AFTER we get to see Aunt Jenny for dinner in Chicago! What an exciting week ahead! I hope everyone is busy as bees getting ready for their big celebrations, no matter how big or small it's bound to be a lovely time I'm sure... I doubt your cook is as good as Rob Franks but one can try ;)
Weight loss update is 18.2 lbs... eeks! Almost twenty!
So here's to riding on a float in a parade
and here's to Franksgiving... I have so much to be Thankful for!
<3
Kalin
I covered the Mag Mile Lights Festival for my internship this weekend. The festival was all day yesterday, and since all of my coverage was via social media I brought Moll and Josh, both iPhone users to help me out.
We were ALL OVER the city. Walking miles and fighting off crowds we actually had a wonderful time... but the highlight would not come until later in the evening. There was talk of us snagging a ride on the National Concierge Association float but nothing was confirmed until we met with a co-worker of mine who gave us the golden ticket.... there was going to be room for all three of us.
Moments later, don't ask me how it happened, but the three of us had been given santa hats, 4 foot tall candy canes, and seated on a float "candy cane" themed that was blaring Christmas music.
I blinked and we were headed down Michigan Ave in front of ONE MILLION people lining the streets. My arm was numb from waving, but those people waiting against those fences for three hours in the cold kept it moving. It was SO MUCH FUN. Sadly, we did not get any air time on Channel 7... it seems to be that the NCA isn't as popular as The Plain White T's or the Radio Disney Crew, but even after it all we laughed as it was the perfect way to kick off our holiday season.
Later we went out to celebrate Dina's 21st birthday. She is baby of the group so it was the first time we ALLL could be together for the entire evening to celebrate! It was so much fun, especially seeing some old faces that I've missed dearly.
Today was a productive lazy Sunday. Sounds impossible, but a refreshing walk to the grocery store and a batch of homemade blueberry muffins added a definite perk to this usually unproductive day.
I'm super excited for Franksgiving! SO SOON!!! Egan and I head home Tuesday evening, AFTER we get to see Aunt Jenny for dinner in Chicago! What an exciting week ahead! I hope everyone is busy as bees getting ready for their big celebrations, no matter how big or small it's bound to be a lovely time I'm sure... I doubt your cook is as good as Rob Franks but one can try ;)
Weight loss update is 18.2 lbs... eeks! Almost twenty!
So here's to riding on a float in a parade
and here's to Franksgiving... I have so much to be Thankful for!
<3
Kalin
Monday, November 16, 2009
Speaking Of...
There is a plan in motion. Let's hope it works.
On Wednesday, I will take a cab to swim practice (arrive early) then convince my coaches that I can make a "team announcement" I will then, using my charm and cute smile, convince someone to pick me up for practice a couple times a week, and I will in return pay them in gas money, and brownies around Christmas.
I'll update as soon as a verdict is reached. Speaking of verdicts Amanda Knox will find out her fate come the first week of December, I doubt I'll sleep much, I'm still attached in every way, it's a part of me in some crazy way...
Speaking of parts of me, I'm missing some 17.4 lbs of me- to be exact. I deferred a phone interview with Weight Watchers for employment for next semester. I have the option to wait a year until I keep going with the process. I'm a little overwhelmed right now, biting off more than I can chew in a sense... let's get to January and reassess my future.
Speaking of future's, I did really well at the interview today- I am super excited about the internship, especially because there was talk of if I am chosen for the position I'll get to work on the national media campaign to celebrate 125 summers of YMCA Camping, and work directly with all the Summer Camps in the nation. The interviews were impressed with my Y experience, I think it's hard to hide emotion when you speak about things you're passionate about. They saw that.
Speaking of seeing things, I see that it's getting a little late for this ole lady... I think my bed sounds divine, and I hope your day was great, I felt productive in mine.
Speaking of productivity I feel like blogging more. Hopefully you're up for reading more, if not- always know that you can kindly e-mail me to be removed off the update list (I promise my feelings will not be hurt at all!)
Speaking of feelings, I feel a little funny today, maybe it's all this Brasstronaut I'm listening to. :)
So here's to hopeful positions- an internship and a ride in a car to practice
and here's to good tunes and comfy nightgowns.
<3
Kay
On Wednesday, I will take a cab to swim practice (arrive early) then convince my coaches that I can make a "team announcement" I will then, using my charm and cute smile, convince someone to pick me up for practice a couple times a week, and I will in return pay them in gas money, and brownies around Christmas.
I'll update as soon as a verdict is reached. Speaking of verdicts Amanda Knox will find out her fate come the first week of December, I doubt I'll sleep much, I'm still attached in every way, it's a part of me in some crazy way...
Speaking of parts of me, I'm missing some 17.4 lbs of me- to be exact. I deferred a phone interview with Weight Watchers for employment for next semester. I have the option to wait a year until I keep going with the process. I'm a little overwhelmed right now, biting off more than I can chew in a sense... let's get to January and reassess my future.
Speaking of future's, I did really well at the interview today- I am super excited about the internship, especially because there was talk of if I am chosen for the position I'll get to work on the national media campaign to celebrate 125 summers of YMCA Camping, and work directly with all the Summer Camps in the nation. The interviews were impressed with my Y experience, I think it's hard to hide emotion when you speak about things you're passionate about. They saw that.
Speaking of seeing things, I see that it's getting a little late for this ole lady... I think my bed sounds divine, and I hope your day was great, I felt productive in mine.
Speaking of productivity I feel like blogging more. Hopefully you're up for reading more, if not- always know that you can kindly e-mail me to be removed off the update list (I promise my feelings will not be hurt at all!)
Speaking of feelings, I feel a little funny today, maybe it's all this Brasstronaut I'm listening to. :)
So here's to hopeful positions- an internship and a ride in a car to practice
and here's to good tunes and comfy nightgowns.
<3
Kay
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Tears & Stolen Bikes. Laughs & Friends.
WHOA. 200. Hard to believe. Crazy ride it's been, and the past few days have only proved it's getting crazier.
Friday morning I walked out of swim practice to find out my beloved bicycle had been stolen. Right off the bike rack, lock cut, bike gone. Tears flowed like hurricane force rain water for the entire mopey walk home. In all of my pathetic moments, the walk home could top the list, considering I was in a soaking wet bathing suit, pj pants, wearing a bike helmet.
I could go into some long drawn out thing about how upset I am, and how I find it impossible to wrap my head around that someone has the indecency to just pull up and take a bike. But instead I'll dry up my eyes, realize that life goes on, be happy that it's a bike that got stolen and not something awful like me getting hit by a car while riding it, and I move on.
After I thought I was out of tears on Friday morning, I came home to find that Mollie had surprised me and cleaned the entire house and Josh came home from work bearing gifts of weight watchers fudge bars and frozen vegetables :) (they know just how to make me feel better.)
I think my reluctance to chat about the bike a lot longer comes from the fact that I am well aware I will never see it again. The part that hurts the most is that it was my 20th birthday gift from my parents.
I'm in the process of hopefully finding someone from swim to pick me up for practice on some mornings for a ride there because I don't feel safe walking there in the dark that early, the walk home should be fine during the morning rush. Le sigh.
This weekend I had an absolute blast, Matt was in town and we enjoyed good dinner with friends on Friday, and hanging out with Egan and Blue Man Group on Saturday evening. He was a trooper and came with me early on Saturday morning to babysit. We finished up the weekend doing a bit of shopping, he needed clothes to substitute teach in, and I needed shoes for my interview tomorrow morning.
After I dropped him at the train station this evening, I cried on the phone for no particular reason to my mom for about 10 minutes, she hit the nail on the head telling me I'm nervous for my big interview tomorrow morning. It's for an internship with the YMCA National Headquarters.. hopefully it'll work out. But until then, I'll be a little bundle of nervs! (
Then I snotted my way through my bedroom sorting laundry while Egan laughed at me. The weird mental breakdown of sorts ended when Egan surprised me by getting me dinner and helping me not be crazy for a bit. I'm currently listening to a freshly burned mix called, "Pookie Heals Mental Breakdowns." Wow, I'm cool.
And so the weekend ends. It started with tears on Friday morning, and ended with tears on Sunday evening. In between was a ton of fun.
There are a million bikes in the world, and a million internships out there for me... but what there aren't millions of- are people who can make you the happiest that's possible when you're the most upset you've been in a while. :)
So here's to the yellow bicycle, I love ya, and you'll be missed
and here's to the great things people do to make me feel better, they don't have to care, but they do- and that means a lot.
<3
Kalin Elizabeth
p.s. to those of you who have read all 200 posts, thanks a million. :)
Friday morning I walked out of swim practice to find out my beloved bicycle had been stolen. Right off the bike rack, lock cut, bike gone. Tears flowed like hurricane force rain water for the entire mopey walk home. In all of my pathetic moments, the walk home could top the list, considering I was in a soaking wet bathing suit, pj pants, wearing a bike helmet.
I could go into some long drawn out thing about how upset I am, and how I find it impossible to wrap my head around that someone has the indecency to just pull up and take a bike. But instead I'll dry up my eyes, realize that life goes on, be happy that it's a bike that got stolen and not something awful like me getting hit by a car while riding it, and I move on.
After I thought I was out of tears on Friday morning, I came home to find that Mollie had surprised me and cleaned the entire house and Josh came home from work bearing gifts of weight watchers fudge bars and frozen vegetables :) (they know just how to make me feel better.)
I think my reluctance to chat about the bike a lot longer comes from the fact that I am well aware I will never see it again. The part that hurts the most is that it was my 20th birthday gift from my parents.
I'm in the process of hopefully finding someone from swim to pick me up for practice on some mornings for a ride there because I don't feel safe walking there in the dark that early, the walk home should be fine during the morning rush. Le sigh.
This weekend I had an absolute blast, Matt was in town and we enjoyed good dinner with friends on Friday, and hanging out with Egan and Blue Man Group on Saturday evening. He was a trooper and came with me early on Saturday morning to babysit. We finished up the weekend doing a bit of shopping, he needed clothes to substitute teach in, and I needed shoes for my interview tomorrow morning.
After I dropped him at the train station this evening, I cried on the phone for no particular reason to my mom for about 10 minutes, she hit the nail on the head telling me I'm nervous for my big interview tomorrow morning. It's for an internship with the YMCA National Headquarters.. hopefully it'll work out. But until then, I'll be a little bundle of nervs! (
Then I snotted my way through my bedroom sorting laundry while Egan laughed at me. The weird mental breakdown of sorts ended when Egan surprised me by getting me dinner and helping me not be crazy for a bit. I'm currently listening to a freshly burned mix called, "Pookie Heals Mental Breakdowns." Wow, I'm cool.
And so the weekend ends. It started with tears on Friday morning, and ended with tears on Sunday evening. In between was a ton of fun.
There are a million bikes in the world, and a million internships out there for me... but what there aren't millions of- are people who can make you the happiest that's possible when you're the most upset you've been in a while. :)
So here's to the yellow bicycle, I love ya, and you'll be missed
and here's to the great things people do to make me feel better, they don't have to care, but they do- and that means a lot.
<3
Kalin Elizabeth
p.s. to those of you who have read all 200 posts, thanks a million. :)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
"Bathed In Afterglow"
Sometimes fabulous weekends and breaks from things make it hard to come back to reality. Home in more ways than one, sitting on the end of a dock surrounded by silence, Pickford St, family, birthdays, bonfires... all of it makes me irritable and grumpers about the reality of school.
But alas, weeks come and go. I cannot believe my Tuesday is over already. I registered for my final semester at Columbia today. My final semester of college. The last classes of my academic career. It's exhilarating to type.
A class visit to the "portfolio center" today had me very motivated. Some rando commented on my enthusiasm towards life, even though I was grumpers because I was hungry and therefore, a little bit crazy. I scheduled my appointments to set up my website portfolio, and hopefully my head shots. I am determined to land a gig within the next year. I'm really realizing how low-level you have to start. Sports arena hosts, and non-paid gigs look like the ticket to getting my face out there in a small market. At this point I would take teaching swim lessons and hosting for free anything come this time next year.
But what I once again was brought to light about today is the amount of time I have left in my life. We had a financial planner visit our class today, and he was laughing as I rattled off questions about when I should invest, or start a retirement fund, or when I should really meet with a financial planner. He told me that I was doing the right thing by paying my credit card fully each month and that I'm 21 years old. When I retire, things will be an entirely new ballgame, "you'll be fine, I promise you. The jobs you have for the next 5 years are not your final career, worry about 401k's when you know you'll be there for a while."
It even got so serious as some girl coming up to me after class telling me "you'll be fine, no need to worry."
Worry Wart Franks, I'm starting to scare myself. But a conversation with Rob this weekend yielded any real fears and ridiculous visuals in my head. "Oh Honey, as long as I am your Mother you will always have a place with me." It seems that everyone I know is taking some time to wet their feet before diving in headfirst, and I need to continue to realize that.
Until then, I'll obsess over a website with my picture and hopefully a video montage of me being me. Maybe that Travel Channel producer will see it and say, "we can't live without this girl." Until then though, I have fabulous people around me who love me, will help me, and I have passions aside from seeing my face on a Television.
One of those passions is the YMCA. I applied for an internship with them for next semester and should hear something by this time tomorrow. I want it so badly, but realize its pretty stiff competition, and will just be another learning bump in the road if it doesn't pan out my way.
Hope your week is wonderful so far, thanks for listening.
So here's to bathing in the afterglow of great moments, and allowing that happiness to make you motivated and determined throughout the not so glowing moments
and here's to you- hope you're doing well.
<3
Kalin
But alas, weeks come and go. I cannot believe my Tuesday is over already. I registered for my final semester at Columbia today. My final semester of college. The last classes of my academic career. It's exhilarating to type.
A class visit to the "portfolio center" today had me very motivated. Some rando commented on my enthusiasm towards life, even though I was grumpers because I was hungry and therefore, a little bit crazy. I scheduled my appointments to set up my website portfolio, and hopefully my head shots. I am determined to land a gig within the next year. I'm really realizing how low-level you have to start. Sports arena hosts, and non-paid gigs look like the ticket to getting my face out there in a small market. At this point I would take teaching swim lessons and hosting for free anything come this time next year.
But what I once again was brought to light about today is the amount of time I have left in my life. We had a financial planner visit our class today, and he was laughing as I rattled off questions about when I should invest, or start a retirement fund, or when I should really meet with a financial planner. He told me that I was doing the right thing by paying my credit card fully each month and that I'm 21 years old. When I retire, things will be an entirely new ballgame, "you'll be fine, I promise you. The jobs you have for the next 5 years are not your final career, worry about 401k's when you know you'll be there for a while."
It even got so serious as some girl coming up to me after class telling me "you'll be fine, no need to worry."
Worry Wart Franks, I'm starting to scare myself. But a conversation with Rob this weekend yielded any real fears and ridiculous visuals in my head. "Oh Honey, as long as I am your Mother you will always have a place with me." It seems that everyone I know is taking some time to wet their feet before diving in headfirst, and I need to continue to realize that.
Until then, I'll obsess over a website with my picture and hopefully a video montage of me being me. Maybe that Travel Channel producer will see it and say, "we can't live without this girl." Until then though, I have fabulous people around me who love me, will help me, and I have passions aside from seeing my face on a Television.
One of those passions is the YMCA. I applied for an internship with them for next semester and should hear something by this time tomorrow. I want it so badly, but realize its pretty stiff competition, and will just be another learning bump in the road if it doesn't pan out my way.
Hope your week is wonderful so far, thanks for listening.
So here's to bathing in the afterglow of great moments, and allowing that happiness to make you motivated and determined throughout the not so glowing moments
and here's to you- hope you're doing well.
<3
Kalin
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I'll keep it short...
This will be short, but I'm so happy on endorphins right now I need a creative outlet...
I really like today. Even though I had to get up early, I was like a giggly school child while swimming. At one point in between sets I was out of breath (beat red cheeks n' all) and I yelled "WAHOO!!!" for. no. reason.
I rode my bike home wearing fifteen layers and looking like this guy in the picture. I was singing "Uptown Girl" at the top of my lungs and people were staring at me. I peeked my head in a cabby's open window and bellowed "Good Morning Sir!" he stared at me and drove off... what is wrong with people?!
Perhaps these endorphins and two cups of coffee will begin to fade around 3pm when I have to go shoot and story and film my segment for this weeks show. Never the less I will appear on camera, chipper as Charlie and loving the television.
Michigan tomorrow! Rob Franks! Poppi Ricardo! Littlest sibling! Dog! Queen bed! Red couch in the basement! Northville Nails! Funny friends this weekend! Matt's birthday!
until then, workies and schoolz... hopefully an episode of "Property Virgins on HGTV" before bed tonight, considering I'm fifty yrs old and enjoy watching it while eating a lean cuisine and studying real estate.
So here's to exciting things
and here's to great moods on random days- hope you have the same!
<3
Kiki
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Happy Days & Halloween
Mollie has this thing where she sometimes cries when fun things end.
You may find it ridiculous. I find it wonderful.
When you have so much fun that you're sad when its over, it shows that you give your entire heart and soul to the things that make you happy.
Yesterday was one of those days.
I slept in and woke up on a crisp, cold Halloween morning. One snuggle session later my roommates had convinced me that a breakfast date was in order.
We trudged over to the Original Pancake House and waited patiently in the typical Saturday morning brunch line. I laughed as sweet-tooth Dib was oogling at the entrees of chocolate chip pancakes being brought right by us.
Eventually we sat down. And the three roommates, shared their fourth Halloween together. This time it started over a split egg white vegetarian omelet and too many cups of coffee.
What I love best about perfect days is that often times it is because they include the most simple things. Like breakfast dates and grocery shopping. Mollie got emotional at brunch telling me how proud she is of my weight-loss, not just because I'm losing but because I can empower other people to get healthy while I do it. Needless to say, I was wiping tears away with a pancake house napkin while Dib snorted and glared at us over his side of bacon and jumbo chocolate chip pancake order, with whip cream.
Post breakfast we walked home as three best friends in the cold fall air. We decided that a grocery store pitstop was needed because Bridge so kindly reminded us to keep Franks Family Halloween tradition alive. We stopped and picked up the necessities for sloppy joes and bbq chips with pumpkin pie for dessert.
Once at home we settled in to watch "Silence of The Lambs." Halloween off to a nice and rolling start, the latter half of the day/evening would include, costumes and heading out on the town.
The night ended as so many have started and ended before. Moll and I walking home having life discussions. Sometimes I think that what I'll miss most when we all move away is the moments when you cannot predict something great will happen. Speed walking home through brightly lit and bustling city streets isn't something great. But the person your with can make it that way.
And so this morning came. Mollie and I snuggled in bed looking at pictures and mourning the passing of what could very well be our final Halloween together for a while.
Four great years of Chicago Halloween, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to end it.
The week ahead is short but packed. November brings birthdays, Franksgiving, and general craziness as per usual. I'm headed to Michigan this weekend for Matt's birthday and hopefully to Northville as well. I'm still, however, searching for a ride from Northville area to Muskgeon area on Friday afternoon/evening (if you know of any possibilities- hit me up.)
Until next time my dear friends, I hope you had a very Happy Halloween. Enjoy the pictures I attached of my hilarious/amazing friends in costume.
So here's to happy days and perfect moments
and here's to November...and all that is to follow.
<3
Kalin Elizabeth
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