I Think My Tummy Hurts

Sidetracked Lessons

2012-02-07T21:15:00.001-08:00

Teaching has brought so many joys. Some blips along the way. A lot of thinking, "Are you serious, kid?" And, "I swear to god if you make one more paper airplane." But laughs? Oh yes indeed.

{image via}

A 3rd grade student and I always have particularly fruitful conversations. He always manages to get me sidetracked.

Student: Ms. B, what do you do on Friday nights?

Me: Hmm that varies. Tonight I'm seeing a movie.

Students: With your boyfriend?

Me: No. Just friends.

Student: Why aren't you married?

Me: Why aren't YOU married?

Student: {giggles} Have you been to Vegas?

Me: Yes.

Student: Casinos are haraam.

Me: To each their own.

Student: What does that mean?

Me: Okay, we actually have to do math.

Student: I have two rabbits.

Me: {laughing uncontrollably for the next 20 seconds}

Needless to say, it was a productive lesson.

Around my house on Sunday Afternoon

2012-02-07T06:20:00.000-08:00

: Baby's breath flowers and an old fashioned doorknob :

: Keep the coffee flowing and I'm sure there are china patterns like this in the White House :

: A walk around Lake Harriet :

: Chairs from my grandma's house in the 50's :

Little Joy

2012-01-31T07:23:00.000-08:00

Fab Moretti and Binki Shapiro of Little Joy back in the day via

Now he's with Kristen Wiig. I approve.

It's amazing how an unexpected text can brighten one's day. A mere sentence can have me smiling all the freaking live long day.

Here are some of my favorite texts that are still in my inbox:

From my brother Kevin:

If you don't download Hall and Oats' "Rich Girl" and blast it while you're in the shower, well, then, your life is missing something.

From my brother Matt:

I turn 10,000 days old tomorrow. You don't have to get me anything.

From my cousin Sean:

Step the eff aside when that bouquet is thrown unless you wanna get hurt.

From my cousin Sean:

Rihanna's "Live Your Life" played at the wedding I was at last night and I almost took my shirt off.

From my friend Rich:

I'm at the scene of the chincident. Happy Wednesday!

From my friend Mallory:

Happy Thanksgiving! May your day bring happiness and no kidney stones.

From my brother Kevin:

Clark Duke is hilarious. And he was raised like a gentleman.

From my brother Kevin:

Veterans of Foreign War? Yeah, that's pretty legit. Keep the tunes flowing.

From my friend Kyle:

Merry belated Christmas. Hope you got all the cast iron skillets you hoped for. And if you didn't, just lemme know because I got 2.

Stretch

2012-01-24T21:26:00.001-08:00

Autumn Island, Brienzersee, Switzerland via

When was the last time you treated yourself to a good ole fashion stretch?

It's been a while for me. Growing up it was a morning ritual. I took three minutes before I got out of bed just to stretch.

I'm going to incorporate it into my semi-adult life. Hopefully it will make my mornings before work a wee bit better.

Thoughts right NOW:

1) Adele is so bad ass. I can't even handle it. I just can't.

2) I've been thinking about cheeseburgers a lot lately. Random.

3) I don't enjoy that feeling I get when I knowingly am procrastinating and still refuse to do anything about it. Kind of like what I'm doing right now.... that paper for my grad class will just have to write itself...

4) Turn on Spice Girls "Wannabe" at a party and just wait for the magic that ensues.

5) I feel like Minnesotans see my Illinois license plate and just automatically assume I'm a bad driver. I mean, they are absolutely correct, but I wish they'd at least let me prove it before they go judging me.

6) Never been good at: wrapping presents or folding clothes.

7) I was having a good day and then I dropped my Blockbuster card in between my driver's seat and the middle part of the car. I knew my hand was too big to get into the small crevice. But that didn't stop me. Then my hand got stuck. Then I said some choice words. Then I started getting really frustrated. Then I was getting frustrated that I was allowing myself to get frustrated. Then I stopped being such a baby and took a breather. Then after contorting my hand in very painful ways, I finally got that darn Blockbuster card.

That is all.

Listening to:

When Sunday feels like Saturday

2012-01-15T12:44:00.001-08:00

On calm, quiet days like this, what I wish to do with my life seems so crystal clear... make movies. Documentaries, trailers, short films, montages, etc. All of it.

Inspired by this movie:

Thoughts:

Jumbled thoughts as I slowly devour (contradiction?) this beautiful Sunday breakfast consisting of toast, 2 poached eggs and coffee. The house is quiet and I have work off tomorrow. MLK, every year, I'm so proud to say we share the same birthday week. It's like we're friend soul mates.

1) Staplers might actually be the death of me.

2) J. Crew makes me mad. Stop being so expensive. My thoughts as I peruse the store... "Oh, what a darling nautical striped shirt. Hmm I wonder how much it -- $125.00???? Forgetaboutit!" Then I leave the store.

3) I want to hang out with Yo-Yo Ma. He's so smiley.

Missing:

My kitchen on summer mornings, when the outdoor lighting is so inviting.

Listening to:

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-29T19:17:00.001-08:00

Christmas lights at Matt and Lindsey's house

Me in my Christmas sweater

My parents' comfy bed that I sneak into early in the morning once they've left for work

My beautiful cousin Kate who's getting married on New Year's Eve

A good time

I'm home. And it feels so good. I wish my week vacation could be extended. I feel so blessed to be with my family and friends during the holidays. My cousin Kate is getting married this weekend in Chicago. Can't wait to put on my dancing shoes and party hardy (do people still say that?) with all my relatives!

Hillside Blooming

2011-12-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

Ok, girl. Alright, alright.

You're gonna make me lonesome when you go

I’ve seen love go by my door
It’s never been this close before
Never been so easy or so slow
Been shooting in the dark too long
When somethin’s not right it’s wrong
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go

Dragon clouds so high above
I’ve only known careless love
It’s always hit me from below
This time around it’s more correct
Right on target, so direct
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go

Purple clover, Queen Anne’s Lace
Crimson hair across your face
You could make me cry if you don’t know
Can’t remember what I was thinkin’ of
You might be spoilin’ me too much, love
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go

Flowers on the hillside, bloomin’ crazy
Crickets talkin’ back and forth in rhyme
Blue river runnin’ slow and lazy
I could stay with you forever and never realize the time

Situations have ended sad
Relationships have all been bad
Mine’ve been like Verlaine’s and Rimbaud
But there’s no way I can compare
All those scenes to this affair
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go

Yer gonna make me wonder what I’m doin’
Stayin’ far behind without you
Yer gonna make me wonder what I’m sayin’
Yer gonna make me give myself a good talkin’ to

I’ll look for you in old Honolulu
San Francisco, Ashtabula
Yer gonna have to leave me now, I know
But I’ll see you in the sky above
In the tall grass, in the ones I love
Yer gonna make me lonesome when you go

Cheese

2011-11-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

{image via}

My go-to food? Cheese. Always cheese.

Can't get enough of it.

One of my favorite students and I had this conversation recently in the lunchroom...

Student: "Hey Ms. B, my birthday is coming up in December. You know what that means?"

Me: "No, what does it mean?"

Student: "Cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese, cheese. I love cheese. And on my birthday we only eat foods with cheese. Cheese pizza, mac and cheese, mozzarella sticks, cheesy potatoes, nachos and cheese, and some more cheese."

All I could do for the following minute was laugh hysterically.

Youth Lagoon

2011-11-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

Home alone. Youth Lagoon's music has been calming all day long. Montana sounds nice right about now.

Yesterday I went for a walk with my friend Rachel. It was the best. We stopped at a park and had a little chit chat. During our discussion she nonchalantly said, "Twenties are a turbulent time." It was quite poetic.

Later we got pizza. Mine had potato on it, hers had bean dip. Again, poetic.

Youth Lagoon - Montana from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

The songs that made me so

2011-10-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

I took a break from correcting homework and lesson planning on Sunday. I ended up making this and never returned to the work. Work/life balance, right?

{Song - Postcards from Italy - Beirut}

{Video and Editing - Kathleen Quinn}

Postcards from Italy

The times we had
Oh, when the wind would blow with rain and snow
Were not all bad
We put our feet just where they had
Had to go, never to go

The shattered soul
Following close but nearly twice as slow
In my good times
There were always golden rocks to throw
At those who
Those who admit defeat too late
Those were our times, those were our times

And I will love to see that day
That day is mine
When she will marry me outside
With the willow trees
And play the songs we made
They made me so
And I would love to see that day
Her day was mine

HP Wonderfulness

2011-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Just doin' their thang.

Hands of a rock n' roll band

2011-10-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

On repeat. Because I love this song and I love Oasis.

Slip inside the eye of your mind

Don't you know you might find

A better place to play

You said that you'd never been

But all the things that you've seen

Will slowly fade away

So I start a revolution from my bed

'Cause you said the brains I had went to my head

Step outside, summertime's in bloom

Stand up beside the fireplace

Take that look from off your face

'cause You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

And so Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by

Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger

I heard you say

Take me to the place where you go

Where nobody knows, if it's night or day.

Please don't put your life in the hands

Of a Rock 'n Roll band

and throw it all away

Gonna start the revolution from my bed

'Cause you said the brains I had went to my head

Step outside the summertime's in bloom

Stand up beside the fireplace

Take that look from off your face

You ain't ever gonna burn my heart out

And So Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by.

her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger

I heard you say

And So Sally can wait, she knows it's too late as we're walking on by

Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger

I heard you say

So Sally can wait, she knows it's too late and we're walking on by

Her soul slides away, but don't look back in anger, don't look back in anger

I heard you say

It's not today.

Reminders of Home

2011-10-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

One day there was a girl named Kathleen. She had a really, really crappy day at work. Ya know, kids swearing at one another, other kids making fun of other kids and telling them that their face looked like moldy macaroni (why are kids so mean???), other kids saying, "I hate this school," while glaring at Kathleen. Oh, and there's always the classic kid that decides to bring in a bag of dirt that they collected during recess. And then, of course, they decide to spill it all over the class carpet. Again, classic. Really brightens the day... not.

Then she got home after a 12 hour day. There was a package from her dad on the stoop. In it was the Shel Silverstein book, "Every Thing On It," a compilation of some of his best poems. She opened to the first poem and smiled for probably the first time that day. The poem was called "Years From Now"

YEARS FROM NOW

Although I cannot see your face

As you flip through these poems awhile,

Somewhere from some far-off place

I hear you laughing -- and I smile.

The gift was accompanied by the perfectest (not a word) card. "Thinking of you. Believing in you. Here for you."

The next day this girl named Kathleen had a another crappy day. Super crappy. Supa, supa crappy.

Then she got home after a 12 hour day. There was a package at the front door from her oldest brother Matthew and his girlfriend Lindsey. In it was Kathleen's favorite dessert in the whole world - Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. A happy girl and a happy stomach.

The cheesecake was sent all the way from North Carolina. And the dessert was prompted by Matthew reading an earlier blog post in which I said I was craving the cheesecake. So, so thoughtful.

The cheesecake was accompanied by this note...

I guess it's true. Family is all that matters.

Salut

2011-09-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had lunch with my mom's college roommate Fran who I haven't seen in 21 years! So technically, I've never seen her, because the lord knows I have no memory from when I was 1 years old. My precise cognitive awareness didn't kick in until I was 2. It was a heck of a year!

Anyway, Fran lives in St. Paul and treated me to brunch at Salut. It was the best. Just what I needed. It was so nice to be around a mom and to have someone say the types of things like, "Don't work yourself too hard," "Make sure you make time for yourself," "Ya know, kids can just be brats, can't they?"

Sigh of relief.

Breath of fresh air.

I've only been working for 5 weeks? Yikes.

So, during the week I eat terribly. PB&J, pretzels and coffee is my diet. Throw some Chex Mix in for good measure. I know, it's super bland and bad and boring and I'm gonna pay for it.

But, on the weekends, I've been making up for it. As I said, I went to Salut, and it was bom-chicka-wow-wow good.

I had the eggs florentine.

I didn't get the french fries.... but there's always next time.

We sat outdoors because it was such a lovely fall day with a bonus of sunshine - image via

Went to Starbucks to grade homework and got a pumpkin spice latte. Fall is here. And it feels so right.

Braids and Cuckoo Clocks

2011-09-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

{image via}

It's raining outside. How calming. Our front lawn needs to be mowed. I wonder if our neighbors don't like us because we've let it go. I'm sure the leaves will start falling soon and you won't even see the overgrown grass. Problem solved. I'm currently writing math lesson plans and trying to figure out Minnesota's state standards for all the subjects I teach. Complicated. Can't someone just email them to me all neat and compiled nicely in a PDF format? Teacher troubs. Yuck.

Wondering: If I will ever learn to make a decent braid. So far... fail.

Missing: My friends from home. Sitting on Anne's porch and being cuddly in a plaid blanket sounds ideal. Throw some apple cider into the mix and we have perfection.

Listening to: Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"

Craving: Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory

Wishing: I was watching Aladdin or The Lion King

Happy: That one of my students made me and another teacher a copy of his football schedule so we could go to his games

Reading: Oh, The Places You'll Go (short but sweet... and quite relevant for my students... well at least I think so)

Need: More cozy socks and more flats to wear to work (On Friday, a student said, "Ms. B, you must really like those purple shoes. Because you wear them, like, allllll the time." In my head I thought to myself, "Stop concentrating on my outfit and start concentrating on these vowels!")

Thinking about: How nice the ticking of a clock is when the house is empty and quiet. Also, thinking about getting my paws on a cuckoo clock. It would make a lovely addition to my bedroom.

Sitting still

2011-09-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

{all images found via}

SPECIAL GARDEN (A Child cry to his Daddy)

In my garden, I will plant some of Daddy's things  

The hat he wears for his favorite baseball team. 

His special notes he wrote to me.

His favorite songs he likes to sing. 

His special collect cars he bought last spring.  

His favorite tie that has grease stains. 

His favorite fishing pole, even though he has never caught anything.  

And I'm going to plant some of my tears, these come from me. 

Every night before I go to sleep, I will go out to my special garden 

and pray over Daddy's things.  

(c)copyright Natasha Flowers 2002  

This poem is so simple and yet so poignant. I read it for my students today during our discussion on 9/11.

A few students liked it so much they asked if I'd make copies so they could share it with their families.

I had plans to have my students write a journal entry on where they were on 9/11. Then I remembered that they were only 1 when it happened. Then I felt really, really old.

We remember.

Gray or Grey ?

2011-09-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Either way. Digging this.

{via Anthro}

Crisp

2011-09-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

{Image via}

{image via ildiko neer}

It feels like Fall. It sounds like Fall. The house is empty and quiet. Just some breeze through the window and I'm wearing a sweatshirt and knit socks. Drinking water and writing math lesson plans.

Missing: My family

Listening to: Mumford and Sons ("Winter Winds" ... on repeat)

Craving: Strawberry Licorice

Wishing: I was lying in a pile of leaves or getting ready to go to a Badger football game

Happy: That my cousin Sean and his girlfriend Sarah are visiting me in a month :)

Reading: The Girls Guide To Hunting And Fishing

Need: More weekend time and more organization

Thinking about: Wyoming and mountains

Mary and Max

2011-08-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to seeing this once I find some free time. Does "free time" exist as a first year teacher? Not so far. (Well I guess technically the three minutes I'm taking to write this is free time... but I'm not counting it.)

Penguin Cafe Orchestra's "Perpetuum Mobile" (which is the first song that plays in this trailer) was something my favorite student and I bonded over this past summer. I quietly played it while all my class was working on a worksheet, and he came up to me after class and asked if I could write the song name down for him so he could play it for his mom when he got home. Man, I miss that kid.

Penguin Cafe Orchestra: making kids happy since 1972.

Gena Rowlands

2011-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

{image via}

I just watched The Notebook and cried for the millionth time. I never get sick of that movie. I remember I saw it three times in one week when it first came out (freak). Once with my ma, once for a birthday party and once with my grandma and aunts.

I just realized Gena Rowlands is from Madison, Wisconsin and went to The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I don't know why, but that tidbit makes me really happy. I wonder if we've ever sat at the SAME EXACT spot at Lake Mendota. I bet we have. And I bet she got ice cream too. Birds of a feather flock together.

Superficial goal for the fall: Learn to curl my hair on my own. Specifically, learn to curl my hair like Allie Hamilton's.

{image via}

Well, well, aren't they just perfect?

Basilica

2011-08-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

This morning was quite a refreshing one. I woke up and went to church with my cousin Kate and her fiance Dan. It's so nice to have family around when you are adjusting to a new city. The three of us went to an enormous church, The Basilica of Saint Mary. It was absolutely beautiful - ornate, tons of mosaics and stained glass windows. It was a good start to the day.

{image via}

To make the day even better, we then moseyed our way on over to a quaint diner called "Our Kitchen" for breakfast. I demolished everything. So good. So, so good.

Then I lesson planned for the majority of the remainder of the day. That wasn't nearly as fun or exciting. What is this grown up mumbo jumbo?

In unrelated news:

It is quite annoying when people are condescending about condiments. I've gotten, "You're from Chicago and don't eat your hot dogs Chicago style? FREAK!" a few too many times. Well, listen up, buddy. I don't like mustard, relish or pickles, so why would I put all that on my fine hot dog? You don't see me blabbing about your hot dog. Back off. (People technically never call me a freak, but, exaggeration felt necessary.)

Scab on ankle that really itches. The temptation to scratch it is reaching skyrocket levels.

Eating plain carrots is overrated. Throw spinach artichoke dip into the mix and then we're talking.

Lantern lighting makes all the difference.

Cloud Life

2011-08-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

image via

Yesterday I took an airplane back to Minneapolis from Chicago.

While hundreds of thousands miles up in the air...

I wondered if birds were afraid of planes.

I wondered how many people have ever flown in the air.

I wondered if there was a ritual that my pilot did every time before he flew.

I wondered if anyone else on the plane was listening to Coldplay's Fix You on repeat.

I wondered if the dude next to me could hear my music playing.

I wondered how many babies were at ground level in their mother's arms pointing at us way up in the sky.

It was the first time in a long time that I was okay with "not knowing." Let's see how long that lasts.

An escape into oblivion

2011-08-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm going to pretend that I'm here (wherever "here" is) instead of feeling overwhelmed in my new bedroom. Right now I have so many daunting things to do. So many things to tackle in such little time. I guess I'll get started with something small and manageable i.e. go to the grocery store so that I have more in my kitchen other than a frozen pizza, water and Ben & Jerry's.

{image via}

This song has nothing to do with my life currently. But, I have been playing it on repeat. Just cause it sounds so sweet.

Skipper

2011-07-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

{The Summer Day}

By: Mary Oliver

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean—

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

We all miss you, Uncle Skip. What a wild, precious and laugh-filled life you had.

Rest in Peace 7.19.11

All I Need

2011-07-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Time is a flyin'

2011-07-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

{image via}

I apologize for being so MIA for the past, uh, month? Or has it been more than that? I guess I could check by just going to my last blog post, but that would require saving this page and backtracking, and frankly, right now I'm just too tired to do so.

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster, a whirlwind, the colors of the wind as Pocahontas might say (I'm so tired that I'm just making up stuff). It has been a mishmash of feeling overwhelmed, excited and nervous. There's been lots of snapping, lots of waking up early, lots of going to bed late, lots of realizing "Oh my god this is the reality of our education system in America," lots of paperclips, more paperclips, making copies, looking tired, circles under the eyes, missed calls from my mom and dad (I'm sorry), feeling behind, feeling inspired, working harder than I ever have, lots of smiles, lots of frustration, lots of being grossed out by dorm bathrooms, too many emails, more emails, lots of sweating, more sweating, even more sweating, a wee bit of crying (sometimes happy tears, other times not so much), lots of laughing, lots of hope.

I think that just about sums it up, and yet, I could probably ramble on for a good hour with my thoughts. I won't though. Again, as I said, I'm really tired. I'm not thinking too clearly. I tried making an analogy the other day about loading my plate up too much with pot stickers on top of pasta on top of pizza on top of salad and so on. It made sense in my head at the time, but everyone else just said, "Kathleen, you seriously need to go to bed."

And so I guess that's what I'll do. I just wanted to pop in and say "hello!" If you are reading this, I hope you are doing well. I hope you have found some quiet time to read outside under a shady tree. I hope you've drank a glass of cold lemonade at least once this summer. And I hope you haven't been using a dorm shower for the past month, but if you have, I feel ya pain.

A preview of Wyoming

2011-06-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

Wyoming : Where life is simple and beautiful. And where you can learn how to country swing dance.

Yep, my heart just melted

2011-06-09T21:07:00.001-07:00

If you don't like this, hit the road.

Checking out the Chan Chan Man

2011-06-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Chandler has always been my favorite. I don't really feel like explaining why. He just is. I think his mannerisms, quirks and awkwardness speak for themselves. Do you have a favorite Friends character? My ranking goes: 1) Chandler 2) Phoebe 3) Ross 4) Rachel 5) Joey 6) Monica. As far as I'm concerned, Monica can take a hike. Except for the throwback episodes; she kills those. I hope my ranking doesn't offend any readers. To be honest, I have a spot in my heart for each character. Yes, even Monica. Sometimes. Not when she's annoying.

Here are some of my favorite clips highlighting Chandler's goofiness:

{images via}

Oh happy day!

2011-06-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's so beautifully beautiful outside today! Just sitting on my stoop and reading and eating chips and salsa. I'm so content right now it kind of makes me want to do a handstand. Like Mallory:

Only problem is that I don't know how to do a handstand. And, now that I'm thinking about it, I haven't even done a cartwheel in about four years. Uh oh. I wonder if I've lost the capability to do so. I would try it out, but I bruise like a peach and I have some classroom observations coming up and I don't want to be all pale and blue. Here is proof that I bruise easily.

Mmmm look at that hotness. This happened at a football game. No, I was not playing football. I was merely observing from the stands, and yet, I still managed to leave injured. I was taking part in an ole' school tradition in which after the 3rd quarter the song "Jump Around" comes on and the whole student section... jumps around. Well, I guess it got a little too rowdy. I was on the end and ended up taking a tumble. The back of my leg hit the pointy corner of the metal bleachers. Good times.

Side note: In that first picture, Mallory fell hard about 1.2 seconds later.

Cubicles

2011-05-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm a little behind the times, and I just got around to watching Michael Scott's farewell episode on The Office. I teared up. More than once. My favorite line was when he's speaking with Jim in his office and he pulls out his recorder and says, "T-shirt idea: Goodbyes stink."

Working in a cubicle use to not seem appealing, but The Office and this following short film make it look not so bad. Deceiving? Does cute stuff like this actually happen?

You're right, not my life

2011-05-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Other than the first three, "You're born, you learn to walk, you go to school," these tidbits don't really apply to me. But nonetheless, this PaperCut ad is creative and fun to read.

Although I never "stole a chocolate bar," one time at a summer swim meet when I was in 1st grade, I saw a a boy a few years older than me steal a fruit roll-up from the concession stand. I thought that was like the worst thing a person could ever do, so I told on him. They never found the culprit, but I knew he was out there. I KNEW!

{click the image for a closer look at the text}

Seriously, why am I leaving Madison?

2011-05-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

That's a rhetorical question. I know WHY I have to leave Madison - the whole graduating and moving to the Twin Cities to teach just about sums it up. But, I look around this place and think back on all the good times I've had here (nostalgia is my middle name, more or less) and get a lil misty eyed thinking about how this will no longer be "home." This past year I wrote for UW-Madison's school newspaper The Daily Cardinal. Here is my last column. Kind of a goodbye piece. It somewhat communicates how I feel about leaving college. It's an attempt, but some feelings just can't be put into words.

Adding to my spring allergies tremendously. I never had them before, but now they're in full force.

Mallory in front of Lake Mendota.

Quick photo op break with Lauren during our bike ride.

Pretty view of the city from Picnic Point.

Terrace chairs at the new Union South.

James: The Best Buddy I could have asked for.

Girls night out at Johnny O's.

Kristi, me, Shauna, Lauren, Alli

Graduation

2011-05-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Varsity!

And Lauren's hand notably grabbing Mal's fine behind.

Bascom Hill

At the Terrace

Me and my main man Bucky

Red nails, white dress. On Wisconsin!

Buuuut, drinking coffee in a white dress... I've made better decisions.

Me and Mal outside our dear Marion home.

Celebrating at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse with our families

Ann, Lauren, me, Mallory

I just graduated from college on Sunday. Surreal. I'm sure I'm not feeling or experiencing any emotions that are unique. I know I probably feel how every recent graduate feels... "What's happening? You mean, I have to leave this grand ole place called college FOREVER? People wake up before 8 o'clock? People pay serious consequences if they wait until the last minute to do important things? Imma hava boss?"

Even though I'm fortunate enough to have found a job for the coming year, I still find myself saying, "What now?" It doesn't help that Madison is feeling sort of like a ghost town. Three of my four roommates have packed up and left. The fridge is empty. The lights are off. And there aren't any drunk people passing my window singing "On Wisconsin!" at 2:30 a.m.

Anyway, graduating college is strange. Real strange. Buuttttt, I did have a great celebration with my friends and family when they were here for the weekend. So happy I could share such an exciting and overwhelmingly happy day with those that I love. Without my family, my enrollment at Madison wouldn't have been possible and I probably would have cried on the phone a lot more about petty things such as stupid Early Brit Lit papers. Without my dear friends, Madison would be a lot easier to move on from.

Thoughts while eating a turkey sandwich at 2 a.m.

2011-05-12T00:12:00.000-07:00

picture via

- All dressing rooms should have chairs in them. Plain and simple. If there isn't a nice spot to rest behind, the chances of me buying clothes has been decreased by 50%.

- Don't assume that just because I'm a girl I want the regular sized sandwich at Pot Belly's. It only makes me feel bad about myself when I say, "Ummm actually I'll have the large."

- Yo Abercrombie and Fitch, I haven't bought clothes from you in like six years, but I still have something to say about you. Tone down the cologne and the club music. In the six seconds it takes me to pass your store, I already feel like I'm going to pass out.

- Booooooooo hiss any store that subtracts money off of gift cards. Ok, so what if I didn't use the gift card in a year? It's still money and it should go to good use. AKA buying me more socks.

- What up open windows?!?!?!?!?!?

- Bike rides = some of the best times of my life. Minus the whole butt hurting afterward. Other than that, golden.

Hi Momma, Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

I love you. That is all. Oh, and you're pretty. That is all.

{Thanks for the freckles. To be honest, I wouldn't have minded if you gave me some more. PS who is the old lady trying to steal your thunder?}

{Feathered hair like a 1970s goddess}

Past mother's day tribute

he's got 2 left feet

2011-05-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

{having two feet would really stink}

And teach them how to dance

2011-05-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

House in the mountains via

don't you worry, there my honey

we might not have any money

but we've got our love to pay the bills

maybe I think you're cute and funny,

maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you,

if you know what I mean

Oh, let's get rich and buy our parents homes in the South of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there, you and I, you and I, you and I,

well you might be a bit confused

and you might be a little bit bruised

but baby how we spoon like no one else

so I will help you read those books

if you will soothe my worried looks

and we will put the lonesome on the shelf

oh let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the South of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there you and I, you and I, you and I

oh, let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France

let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters

and teach them how to dance

let's get rich and build our house on a mountain

making everybody look like ants

from way up there you and I, you and I, you and I

Quick Stay in MN

2011-05-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

I just had a whirlwind of a trip to the Twin Cities. Left Thursday night and got back a little bit ago. I can't wait to move there in August. But fiiiiiirst I want to enjoy every last moment I have left in Madison.

In unrelated news:

I like coffee. A lot. Seriously how did I ever manage without it?

I hate waking up with a dry mouth.

Goal for the future: become a more efficient packer.

It's really annoying when people share stories about themselves that ultimately end with their grand point being "I'm awesome; don't you love me?" Well, I might have thought you were okay, but now, not so much.

image via

Finally have a sister

2011-04-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Matt said, "Lindsey, let's reenact the proposal." So she put out her hand. Matt goes, "No," and sticks out his pinky finger. That Matt, he's a jokester.

Me with some of my cousins on Easter

Me & Lindsey!

The newly engaged

Flowers from Kelly

My brother Matthew got engaged last Saturday to his girlfriend Lindsey! So thrilled to finally have someone to go shopping with and basically do all the things that make my brothers answer, "Ehhh, I'd rather not."

Welcome to the family, Lindsey! Can't wait to be part of the wedding shenanigans in these upcoming months!

When I told my friend Anne about the engagement, her response was, "Ohhhh how exciting. And that Matt. How perfect for him to propose between Good Friday and Easter. How holy of him!"

Anne, I don't think that's what he was aiming for.

I was never one for bowling...

2011-04-18T10:26:00.001-07:00

{Bowling + disco + patriotic flag... well ain't that Amurica?}

{If I could be confident that there wasn't some mold or something growing in bowling shoes, I'd totally consider swiping these. Well, actually not really. I wouldn't steal. But I'd be up for bargaining}

{There's that smile!}

... Bowling usually was an activity I would have to do for a friend's birthday or to receive some type of badge for Brownies (the amateur version of Girl Scouts). I was never good at bowling. I'm still actually really bad. But then I bowled with James and had so much fun. Seeing James smile and fist pump after he got two strikes in a row was awesome (for a lack of better words). Plus, we had the whole alley to ourselves, so every time I guttered the ball I just did a little loser victory dance.

In completely unrelated news. Well, not even news. Just unrelated. I always liked the song "You're still the one" by Shania Twain, but this morning I heard my roommate playing this version in her bedroom and now I'm hooked. Hearing a guy sing this song is just a whole new level of greatness. Oh Lee, you seriously shouldn't have. You got yourself a new fan.

*This version of "Falling Slowly" is pretty tremendous as well. Not as good as the original. But still enjoyable.

Funky

2011-04-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

My kind of people.

An open window kind of weekend

2011-04-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I cheesily said to my roommate Mallory, "I wish I could bottle this morning." Instead of making fun of me for going all Hallmark on her, she responded, "Me too." It was honestly the most relaxing and laugh-filled weekend I've had in awhile. From playing flip cup and dancing to Backstreet Boys on our porch to going out for breakfast on Sunday morning, everything just felt right. Man oh man, I'm going to miss college.

Hey future life as a teacher, please be nice to me. And be gentle.

1) Ann catching some breeze on a lazy Sunday morning.

2) Making good use of our porch. Spring is in the air and it feels so so so fine.

3) Roomie schoomy - Me, Lauren, Ann, Shauna, Mallory in front of our poster that says France. And not a single one of us can speak French. But I'm down with baguettes.

4) When in doubt, ice cream.

5) Me, Mallory, and Ann before heading out for a night that had so much karaoke potential.

6) Shauna likes to wear cowboy hats. She is looking for a man that likes to wear them too. I for one do not think that's too much to ask for. Form a line, gentlemen!

Awwww shucks

2011-04-08T15:18:00.001-07:00

This kid is such a charmer, and his smile is contagious! That is one lucky little lady.

When he says, "Huh?" I nearly peed my pants.

And his jaw literally dropping is some pretty raw human emotion.

Ingrid Bergman

2011-04-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Must be tough being that beautiful.

I really wish I was watching Casablanca with my dad right now rather than reading for school.

And I'm sure he'd prefer to be watching Casablanca with me rather than working.

{image via}

As of Late

2011-04-01T08:16:00.001-07:00

Lately...

1) I've been taking down about three of these guys a day. Oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies compliments of my roommate Mallory. Thanks for nothing, Mal. You know I have no self-control.

2) I've been hearing "Aw who sent you flowers?" from each of my roommates and each and every time I answer with, "I bought them for myself." How sad. Can't a girl by some flowers to spruce up her room? Okay, I guess buying myself red roses is a bit odd, but my choices were slim. At this particular grocery store all they had were roses or lime, orange and purple dyed daises. Super ugo. Daisies are my favorite flowers, but these shades looked straight out of a coloring book gone wrong.

3) I've been sending postcards to people I love. Norman Rockwell is the best. Well, after Van Gogh. I wonder how many people read postcards along the way. I know mailmen must have to sign some sort of privacy contract, but I feel like if I were a mailman I'd take a peek and read all the dirt/mushy mush people are sending to one another. Don't judge. You probably would too!

4). I've been compiling old clothes to donate. Did you hear that, dad? I'm getting rid of stuff. Yipeeee! Not gonna lie, it was difficult to get rid of my favorite brown corduroy pants from my junior year of high school. But, I just had to come to terms with the fact that they probably won't ever fit again.

Let me see you one, two step

2011-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did just reference Ciara. Anywayyyyy, if you happen to be in Massachusetts or attend Harvard, go see one of my numero uno amigos Moira and her Irish Dance Team perform on April 2nd at 8 pm at Lowell Lecture Hall. I'm assuming that's on Harvard's campus... but then again, what do I know? I'm sure a quick Google search could help you out.

{She's the one with her hair down standing directly to the left of the guy in the center}

Moira and I use to take Irish Dance together. She stuck with it and I quit to move onto jazz. Which was short lived. Then I moved onto tap dancing. That was short lived too. Then I moved onto not dancing. And that's where I've been for about the past nine years. Except when Backstreet Boys or N'sync comes on. Sometimes I just can't help myself.

{Moira, Anne, me at senior year homecoming. Hey Anne, did you ever take Irish Dance? Didn't think so. Move it!}

Eyes and Ears part 3

2011-03-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

Listening to this young gentleman from Wisconsin (!) But even though I love Wisconsin and Wisconsinites (ie in this case, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon), right now I really don't want to be here. I'd rather be in Ireland. My homeland. Not really. But, my ancestor's homeland.

Cork, someday we'll meet. Until then, stay beautiful.

{image via}

Duuuuuude, I need sleep

2011-03-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling overwhelmed ever since I woke up today at 6:05 a.m. One thing after another just makes me want to have an outrageous fit like this. I also feel like I have that chronic tired look. I always mean to buy cucumbers to try that getting rid of circles under the eyes trick, but I always get too busy contemplating what kind of ice cream to get and I end up forgetting the damn cucumbers.

Anyway, this Daria quote is resonating quite well with me right now.

{Image via a website I'm pretty sure is dedicated to glorifying pizza}

I won't be a total debbie downer. There are some pluses of this day. And they are:

+ I showered and so that means I smell nice

+ I ate a sausage egg and cheese biscuit from McDonald's today before my final exam to get my teaching license

+ I stumbled upon this picture of Daria

Rain Rain, You Can Stay

2011-03-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

{image via}

Yesterday it started raining AFTER I arrived at class. No umbrella + no hood = mascara under eyes and looking like a weirdo. I guess that's what I get for attempting to not look like total woof. Also, I wore my darn Converses. I've been wearing my rain boots a lot lately. Like almost too much. And then, the one day I don't wear them, BOOM, God says, "ha ha, you're stupid."

Whatever. I'm okay with this. I love rain. Reminds me that reading and eating BBQ Honey chips in bed is a good thing. Actually, it doesn't remind me of that at all. But, that's what my day looked like.

Bang Bang Boogie

2011-03-22T11:14:00.000-07:00

Between the dance moves and the clothing, I am speechless. This is all I can manage to say:

1) The guy wearing the orange and white jumpsuit that makes him look like he could be a male cheerleader for the University of Texas, is blowing my mind.

2)Between 1:15-1:25, pay special attention to Kip from Napoleon Dynamite breaking it down.

3) I love how the two guys are rocking sweaters and turtlenecks and the other guy looks straight out of Gilligan's Island. That is, if Gilligan's Island had a main character that was black.

The New Year

2011-03-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to see this at the Madison Film Festival. I'm also hesitant to say that I'm excited because the last time I said that about a film at the festival I was hugely disappointed. I paid $9.00 just to basically watch people stare at each other. I hope that isn't the case with this movie. The song in the trailer is called "Christmas Light" by Keegan DeWitt and the Sparrows.

Also, is it just me or does the main girl freakishly sound like the mom from Modern Family?

St. Patty's Day

2011-03-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

1) Apparently the leprechaun now brings me books and tulips for St. Patrick's Day. I'm definitely not complaining. Started reading "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein, and I already have a feeling I'm going to be crying big time by the end of this book.

2) Me with Lindsey and Matt showcasing our Green River.

3) Close up of that sucker.

4) Me and Lenny. An unexpected paw is always reason to smile. I think he thought he'd be getting a treat. He didn't. Lenny, I might be a pushover, but I had just given you two treats less than a half hour before. There needs to be limits!

Free People

2011-03-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

Free People really needs to do me a solid and either A) Stop making clothes or B) Make their clothes in my price range.

Because this whole "look but don't touch" relationship that we've had going for the past few years is really not working for me anymore. You can only tease me with hopes of being able to dress like Jenny from Forrest Gump or Penny from Almost Famous for so long before I put my foot down. It has to stop.

But, if $ were no issue, it would be nice to have these in my closet...

{All Free People}

PS Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Home for Spring Break

2011-03-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have successfully worn sweatpants for 2/3 of my break thus far. The other 1/3 has either been jeans for when I've been outside of my house or my nightgown which is usually worn until noon... then it's sweatpants time.

1) This Oberweis Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream is singlehandedly making my Lenten sacrifice seem like a joke. I gave up cookies, candy and brownies (and swearing... I really need to cut down... especially if I'm going to be teaching little kiddies in less than 6 months). Anyway, I gave up basically all sweets. But not ice cream. Well, I came home for spring break and there were two quarts of untouched chocolate peanut butter ice cream in my freezer. My favorite. This might get ugly.

2) My new pristine duvet cover. Love me some eyelet. I wonder how long it will be until I spill something on it. (Momma, if you're reading this, I'm kidding.... kind of.)

3) Standard breakfast - Cheerios with strawberries and raspberries.

4) My cousins Bridget & Molly, and myself at our cousin Katie's engagement party!

5) My cousins Katie and Pattie (Bride & MOH -- which I have learned apparently means Maid of Honor)

6) Dan and Katie! The happy couple. Can't wait until New Year's Eve to celebrate in Chicago for their wedding!

I'm a Wendy Peffercorn wannabe

2011-03-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

I just bought this swimsuit. Feeling really good about it. Feeling good about it despite one of the reviews online which basically said that it's a good suit for pregnant women.... ahem, excuse you. PS that is NOT me. I've always been a strong believer that posting solo shots of yourself in a swimsuit is either A) weird B) skanky or C) both. Usually I think C. You know the photos I'm talking about. Pictures where girls think they're all hot and stuff and they take a picture of themselves in their bathroom at a weird angle. I've never understood it. Anyway, back to my point... that isn't me. I'm like so much tinier <--- Sarcasm

I feel like Wendy Peffercorn from The Sandlot would be down with this suit. Back in the day I thought she was like da bomb.

"Six Eggs!!!" woman goin nuts

2011-03-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Some people might be going to Florida or Hawaii or the Dominican Republic for spring break (cough cough my roommates...not fair) and getting all tan and whatever. But who needs that? Skip the margaritas and Coronas on the beach. I'm watching Beauty and the Beast as soon as I get home in good ole Chicago. Plopping on the couch and going to sing along to my favorite Disney movie EVER!

Belle is so cool! Most definitely blows the other Disney princesses out of the water. When she and the lambs congregate at the fountain, my heart smiles (or something to that effect).

PS The lady that says, "I need six eggs," at 1:30 is the most distraught person I have ever seen in my life. Woof.

grrr the snow still hasn't completely melted

2011-03-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

1. Fooling around with the aperture and ended up liking the one that was overexposed the best. Seems like a shot that could have been in Fargo. Not like I'm good enough to have been part of the masterpiece that is Fargo. But. I'm just saying it has that feel. Throw Frances McDormand in there and you got yourself a winner.

2. I've never noticed all the non matching bricks on this building. I pass it every Monday and Wednesday and only now has it dawned on me that A) someone messed up or B) someone decided to give good ole Science Hall a little character. Either way, I'm down with it.

3. Sometimes you need water to live. Sometimes you need coffee to function in order to do homework. Sometimes you need milk for your gooey fudge brownie with heath. Sometime you need a gooey fudge brownie with heath because it's March and March stinks.

4. Nick's Diner. Love it.

5. Bows are making a comeback. Mark my word. And even if no one joins me, I'll be rocking them.

Lighting and Food

2011-03-03T11:10:00.001-08:00

1) I'm a candle junkie all of a sudden. And I might have a favorite candle scent. Windsor Forest from Crabtree and Evelyn. I don't care if it's not considered "in-season" and I don't care if it reminds people of the holidays; I'm going to have that baby burning well into summer.

2) Peanut butter brownies dipped in milk chocolate and decorated. On Valentine's Day, nothing says "cheers to not having a boyfriend" like chocolate dipped in chocolate!

3) A basket of laundry I've failed to empty for the past week and a half. A purse filled with gum wrappers. A garbage that needs to be emptied. An old school TV that likely has to be dusted. Gummy vitamins that make taking vitamins so much fun.

4) This picture was taken literally two minutes after the one above it was taken. I'm always amazed by how quickly lighting can change. I think my favorite memories of noticing lighting changes are from when I was little and would go to my older brothers' baseball games. Summer days and during the first inning it is sunny as can be. Ninth inning and the moon is high above and some guy needs to turn on the booming bright stadium field's lights.

I HEAR THAT

2011-02-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad that we named our dog after Lenny Leonard from The Simpsons. He's the best. It might seem ironic that we decided to name our black lab after the white guy, but Carl would be a funny name for a dog.

Scratch that. Carl would be an awesome name for a dog. WHAT WERE WE THINKING???

exemplifiers of love

2011-02-13T22:27:00.000-08:00

Corey and Topanga

Kevin and Winnie

Vada and Thomas J.

Everything else is rubbish.

so sleepy

2011-02-10T10:52:00.001-08:00

I'm in a public place right now. Sitting in a hall and passing the time until my next class starts. Too cold outside to walk home for the hour interim. I'm so sleepy and I think I'm going to doze off. These strangers sitting next to me are in for a treat. I'm kind of stuffed up, which means there's a good chance I'll make some weird snoring-esque noise.

LET THE GREAT EXPERIMENT BEGIN!

Lately, whenever I'm about to embark on something ( in this case, sleeping in public), I find myself shouting these words in my head.

Oh, and here is some good sleep music. James Mercer. Ow ow!

22 isn't so bad

2011-02-07T22:21:00.001-08:00

And two weeks later, Kathleen says to herself, "Hmmm maybe I'll blog about my birthday."

I really didn't think the year of being 21 could be topped. 21 was grrrrreat (as Tony would say). Honestly, Forever 21 had it right. What could be better than finally being legal to drink/being a senior in college/living with your best amigas/getting the chance to travel to LA for the Rose Bowl? And on and on and on the list goes. Well, 22 is shaping up to be pretty good. I mean, I'm fully aware that it's soy milk in comparison to chocolate milk (being 21 duh!) but, I guess you gotta move on.

{Me, Lauren & Ryan on my birthday... note Ryan's shirt. Packer fans love dem Packers}

This is why the day I turned 22 (January 18th) ended up being A-Okay!

1) Dinner at Nitty's. Texas Burger. Free beer.

2) My cousin Sean and his girlfriend Sarah came to visit

3) On my first day of class I got to listen to some sweet hits in my African American Studies - Black Music and Culture class... this is on repeat in my head lately...

4) Soup, scarf, and BA shirt gifts from my roommates

5) I got a job offer with Teach For America!!! (and I said YES!)

{photo via}

Twin Cities, Josh Hartnett, Prince, Coen Brothers... Here I come!!! I am thrilled to make the Twin Cities my home for at least the next two years. And I can't wait to go all Ms. Lippy on the youngsters I'm going to be teaching. If you don't know who Ms. Lippy is, then you should probably go rent Billy Madison. And if have seen Billy Madison, please know that I am entirely kidding when I say I'll be like her. I plan on hopefully being like Miss Honey from Matilda. She's the nicest : )

PS22 "Gonna Be Friends"

2011-02-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Just one of my favorite songs being sung by some talented kiddies.

essentials

2011-01-31T06:37:00.000-08:00

I don't know how I ever survived without...

Madison without rain boots. I was about three years too late on the uptake that you kind of need some sort of water protection boots when you are walking to class every day in slush. No matter, I got em now. And I couldn't be more pleased with these bad boys. A lot of people have the tall Hunter galoshes, and though I think they are cute, I looked like a goon when I tried them on. They gaped awkwardly and I think my tree trunk calves were too big for them.

This was a birthday gift from my lovely roommate Mallory. Are you a lefty too and understand the hassle it is to write in a notebook and have to deal with the spiral? Well if you do, I highly recommend this assignment notebook/calendar. On top of the spiral positioning, this sucker is full of cool facts about lefties. Cary Grant and I share a birthday (Jan 18) and we are both lefties. Soul mates.

I woke up sort of early today. Well not really really. My mom and dad (and any other working adult) would probably roll their eyes at me for thinking 7:45 is early. But HEY, I'm in college and I didn't have to actually get up until 8:30. And, I'm notorious for liking my sleep. Maybe a little too much. Four hour naps? No problem. Anyway, coffee. How did I ever survive without you?

On Saturday I watched the Shawshank Redemption all the way through for the first time with my roommates. That movie is brilliant!!! Talk about moving mountains. I couldn't embed any of the videos, but honestly, you need to see this movie if you haven't. What is that you say? Everyone has already seen this movie? Okay okay. Well IF you haven't, then stop what you are doing and make it a priority.

{I guess I just miss my friend}

i wish i had a river

2011-01-27T14:55:00.000-08:00

Skaters on Mendota

Such a beautiful song. I know Christmas is over and I know that the picture I took above is actually a lake, but still. The mood just felt right for this song.

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river I could skate away on
I made my baby cry

He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Oh, I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I made my baby say goodbye

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace
I wish I had a river I could skate away on

a cozy day

2011-01-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

I was housebound a good chunk of my winter break. No, I wasn't grounded. I simply didn't have a car because my entire family was at work during the day. Annnnd, I live in Chicago and it's cold there. Walks are brief. As in, I take my dog for a walk that's, like, maybe, three blocks long. Anyway, I got a camera as a Christmas/birthday gift and I couldn't wait to use that sucker. So, here are pictures I took around the house on one blustery January day. Cozy on the inside, cold on the outside.

Lenny has his favorite spots. One of which is the corner by our front door. We usually keep that area clear for him, but I kind of forgot and just threw my boots down. That didn't matter to him. He made himself cozy anyway. Look at those eyes! He is the most handsome "puppy" (he's almost 10) I've ever seen.

We just got a new green door. I originally told my mom to go with a light egg robin's blue when she asked for my opinion. And, like most moms, they like others' input, but they usually go with their instinct anyway. I'm glad she did.

Winter break reading! I had never read Of Mice and Men before... so so sad. Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking.

Chocolate chip cookies my momma made!

I did manage to leave the house to walk the three blocks to our town's downtown area. I went to Snackers and got my favorite - the best curly cheese fries in all of the Chicagoland area!

We are getting new wood floors upstairs, so I needed to empty out my entire childhood bedroom. My mom also might be painting my room and putting in a new closet. I should be thrilled... but I don't like change. I'm a stickler like that. We'll see what happens.

time well wasted

2011-01-24T10:49:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to get to go to two Blackhawks games over my winter break! Hockey + fine looking players + beef sandwich + good company = a very happy Kathleen.

And, anyway, I've been "wasting" my time watching tons of youtube clips of Hawks interviews. Must. Stop.

But I probably won't.

Here are some goofy ones.

Jonathan Toews puts it plain and simple -- "I'm gonna tell you my trick right now, cause I'm gonna beat you anyways................you chew it and then you swallow it."

Dogs in aprons

2011-01-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

It really does not take much to make me happy. Whoever came up with this segment for Sesame Street is brilliant!

Eliza

2011-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

Really loving Eliza Doolittle lately. Fun music and a beautiful voice. In addition to the song below, check out "Skinny Genes" and "Back to Front".

I get tired

And upset
And i’m trying to care a little less
When I google I only get depressed
I wast taught to dodge those issues I was told
Don’t worry
There’s no doubt
There’s always something to cry about
When you’re stuck in an angry crowd
They don’t think what they say before they open their mouths

[chorus]
Pack up your troubles in you old kit bag
And bury them beneath the sea
I don’t care what the people may say
What the people may say about me
Pack up your troubles get your old grin back
Don’t worry ’bout the cavalry
I don’t care what the whisperers say
Cos’ they whisper too loud for me.

Hot topic
Maybe I should drop it
It’s a touchy subject
And I like to tiptoe round the tiff goin’ down
You got penny, but no pound
Your business is running out
‘not my business to talk about
They don’t think what they say before they open their mouths.

2011-01-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

Last week when I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (I know, shame on me for not seeing it sooner. As a diehard HP fan, I'm embarrassed) I was reminded...

1) Bonnie Wright aka Ginny Weasley, is BEAUTIFUL! She has the prettiest hair. Also, side note. She's engaged. That's kinda weird.

2) Getting popcorn at the theatre always leads to disaster. Because I really have no aptitude for knowing when I'm full. So I'm kinda just chowing down and before you know it, the previews are over and I've already finished half the bag. All that butter just sitting in my stomach. Couldn't go to bed. It always seems worth it until you are cramping up and sitting on your bedroom floor rolling in pain. Not an exaggeration. Maybe next time I'll remember to not get popcorn. Or if I do get popcorn I'll pace myself. Butttt, the chances of either of those taking place is slim. Damn you movie popcorn.

loves peanut butter & always wears a smile

2011-01-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

Kathryn,

We all love you, are thinking of you, and praying for you. You are such a strong, sweet and beautiful girl. We are always here for you.

Love,

Your friends

Kathryn and me at Prom

The year of the cicadas! - Amy, Kathryn, Jackie, me

BBQ two summers ago

Some of the girls over Thanksgiving

Anne, Jackie, Kathryn

me, Katie, Moira, Jess, Paige

To anyone reading this, my dear friend Kathryn is a gymnast at Michigan State. Last week she was in a gymnastics related accident and is now sustaining a neck and spinal cord injury. Please, please keep her in your prayers. Thank you!

pass this video along

2010-12-29T21:56:00.000-08:00

Too many lives have been lost from texting while driving. This is, by no means, a happy video, but it gets the message across. Keep yourself, your loved ones and complete strangers safe by taking the pledge to NOT text and drive.

Whatever you want to say, it can wait.

writing writing writing

2010-12-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm currently attempting to finish my 90 page screenplay. I really wish I could just hand in the script to, like, Tommy Boy or Magnolia and call it a day. I'm sure in some other life I possibly could have been creative enough to write such brilliant films.

{He's a big dumb animal, isn't he, folks?}

{I'm quiz kid Donnie Smith}

Bloopers

2010-12-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

Best bloopers in the history of cinema. 1:43-2:06 are possibly the cutest moments of all time.

Blue Valentine

2010-12-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

I'm glad that I have no idea what this movie is about even after watching the trailer. Absolutely love Michelle Williams. She is so quiet and gentle. And Ryan Gosling. What a silly, charming singing voice. I'm looking forward to this.

i JUST discovered

2010-12-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

Freaks and Geeks audition tapes!!!

I've been mulling it over, and I think this character might be my ideal boyfriend.

Actually, no. Jason Segel is my ideal boyfriend.

Such a sweetheart.

In da park

2010-12-10T10:46:00.001-08:00

Lots of slobber (the dogs, duh!), sniffing plants and trees, staring at squirrels. Ya know, just the usual.

{Lenny and me almost falling down}

{Finally made it}

{Katie and her dog Molly}

Tech literate

2010-12-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

In addition to being able to give paw, lie down, sit down, put his head down on command, play red light/green light, my dog Lenny also knows how to USE THE COMPUTER. He is so so so so smart. A few days ago I was on skype and this little fellow called me.

And yes, if you are looking at my itunes, I do have a playlist called Bathtime and Kelly Clarkson's "My life would Suck without you" is my #1 played song.

I don't really have an explanation for either of those details.

*Also, VERY important. My 21st most played song is NOT With Arms Wide Open by Creed. It's With Arms Outstretched by Rilo Kiley. I felt it was necessary to make the distinction.

"I want to go to there"

2010-12-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

At the moment, this is my vacation dream spot. An Austrian inspired resort. All Van Trapp-ish. Pure beauty.

Sleigh ride, book by the fire, hot chocolate, family movie before bed = heaven

{All images via}

Also, if you didn't get the "I want to go to there" reference, then you need to start watching 30Rock. Tina Fey quotes her daughter on the show.

"The days and the nights all feel the same"

2010-11-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

I can't stop listening to this song. The line, "You are the man who ruined her life," is exceptionally heartbreaking. Love his voice - raspy but not overdone. I still need to see this movie. Once finals are over... me, couch, movie, popcorn.

Weary Kind by Ryan Bingham

Your heart’s on the loose

You rolled them seven’s with nothing lose
And this ain’t no place for the weary kind

You called all your shots
Shooting 8 ball at the corner truck stop
Somehow this don’t feel like home anymore

And this ain’t no place for the weary kind
And this ain’t no place to lose your mind
And this ain’t no place to fall behind
Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try

Your body aches…
Playing your guitar and sweating out the hate
The days and the nights all feel the same

Whiskey has been a thorn in your side
and it doesn’t forget
the highway that calls for your heart inside

And this ain’t no place for the weary kind
And this ain’t no place to lose your mind
And this ain’t no place to fall behind
Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try

Your lovers won’t kiss…
It’s too damn far from your fingertips
You are the man that ruined her world

Your heart’s on the loose
You rolled them seven’s with nothing lose
And this ain’t no place for the weary kind

A movie I can snuggle up to after a plate of mashed potatoes

2010-11-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

I'm the youngest of all my cousins on my mom's side. When I was growing up, my grandma only had one VHS in her house - Planes, Trains and Automobiles. So, even though I was only in kindergarten, I'd join my older cousins and watch that movie in her family room on holidays. I remember crying when I found out John Candy's character was homeless and a widower. Honestly, it was really sad and eye-opening; probably the first moment I realized there was a world outside my own. I was a pretty deep and profound child... meh not really actually.

Anyway, it's one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's definitely my favorite Thanksgiving movie. Here's a clip where the acting is just superb. RIP John Candy. I feel like I can relate to the lines, "I talk too much. I also listen too much." Just some really great writing right there.

So Halloween was almost a month ago

2010-11-23T20:47:00.001-08:00

Forgot to post about this. Per usual, Halloween in Madison was magical. Just craziness and laughs. Ohhhh and running into one of the Badger's star football players - John Clay (!)

We may or may not have asked John Clay (Badger football player) for a picture while he was in line to go the bathroom. He was really nice about it though! And look at that smile! My roommates and I dressed up as iPods for Halloween. We chose to display songs that they usually play at Badger football games (Cecila by Simon & Garfunkel, Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations and Swingtown by Steve Miller Band). So running into John Clay was obviously just fate.

Lauren and her boo Mike. He was Al from Home Improvement (beard + tool belt + plaid shirt = Al) and he was just jamming out to Lauren's music. But for some reason he just looks more confused.

Our friends Brandon and Brendan decided to start Halloween two day early (hence why we aren't in our gear). Goofs!

Where I slumber

2010-11-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

Last night I slept for 14 hours in this comfy, comfy bed. No joke. Went to bed at 6 p.m. and woke up at 8 a.m.

Two nights ago I spent 10 hours at this desk writing a paper on Jane Eyre.

In the past week I've had about 12 cups of coffee. Must. Stop.

Laaaa di daaaa here are things to check out. Have a relaxing weekend!!!

I've been shamelessly listening to this song on repeat. I love when Faith and Tim sing together.

On a dreary day like today, I really wish I owned my roommate Lauren's cute rain boots.

This might be the prettiest wedding dress I've ever seen.

If it's gonna be all cold out, well then I wish at least I had this beautiful scenery around me. Tessaboo always has lovely pictures and lovely clothes!

Notting Hill and the Badgers

2010-11-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

Currently watching Notting Hill (for the first time) with my pa at my parent's hotel. Feeling really good about it. I love being with my parents in Madison. It feels like a mini vacation.

We just watched the scene where they climb the wall to get into the garden and Hugh Grant says, "Whoops-a-daisy."

I specifically remember one day I said that phrase and my high school boyfriend paused and said, "Please. Please. Never say that again."

You know how some phrases really bug people? Well, I guess that was his. Are there any phrases you dislike? I'm not too fond of when people say, "That's genius." In my head I think, "Really? Was it really genius? That's a bit extreme." Maybe it's just because I don't really like the word.

This bench is in the movie. It says, "For June who loved this garden. From Joseph who always sat beside her."

Is this not the cutest?

Someday. Someday.

{via}

In unrelated new:

Today is a very sad day. I just went to my last home Badger football game as a student at UW-Madison. I'd be lying if I said I didn't almost start crying when they played Varsity.

Here is a picture of my friend Ann and me at our first game freshman year. Feels like yesterday.

Tell me what you know about dreamin'

2010-11-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

Lissie is so rad.

I don't think her voice could get any better. Shared this Kid Cudi cover recently with my brother and I was glad to hear that he liked it too. I hope you enjoy it as well. Cover your ears after she says, "hands on the wheel." (she swears. and when she swears you can tell she means it).

Crush a bit, little bit, roll it up, take a hit
Feelin’ lit feelin’ light, 2 am summer night.
I don't care, hand on the wheel, drivin drunk, I'm doin’ my thang
Rollin the Midwest side and out livin’ my life getting’ out dreams
People told me slow my roll I'm screaming out f*ck that
Imma do just what I want lookin’ ahead no turnin’ back
if I fall if I die know I lived it till the fullest
if I fall if I die know I lived and missed some bullets

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good.

Tell me what you know about dreamin’ dreamin’
you don't really know about nothin’ nothin’
tell me what you know about them night terrors every night
5 am, cold sweats wakin’ up to the skies
tell me what you know about dreams, dreams
tell me what you know about night terrors, nothin’
you don't really care about the trials of tomorrow
rather lay awake in a bed full of sorrow

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold
I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good

I'm on the pursuit of happiness. I know everything that shines ain't always gold

"Unmistakably him"

2010-11-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

I really must watch this movie. Perhaps this weekend I'll get the chance to rent it. It seems touching and funny. And the actors are some of my favorites - Colin Firth, Carey Mulligan, Jim Broadbent.

Super talented + super cute = Matthew Beard.

"I'm trying to recall the last time I saw my father, the last time that he was unmistakably him." - Blake Morrison

Groucho Marx

2010-11-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."

Well put.

Autumn Leaves

2010-11-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

Isn't my roommate Mallory cute?

She's 22 and yet she looks like a preschooler at recess.

Last semester she studied abroad in Buenos Aires. This was taken in March, which is part of Argentina's fall season.

If I could only get rid of this cold, I'd go outside and play in the leaves. Instead I'll drink this pumpkin spice Dunkin Donuts coffee next to me and finish reading Lakota Woman which I have to give a 50 minute presentation on for Thursday.

(With two other girls. So, like, not too bad.)

Ess and Gee

2010-11-04T10:56:00.001-07:00

I just really love Simon and Garfunkel. Hands down, they're the number one group I wish to see live. (Well and The Beatles. But that's, like, duh.)

Q

2010-11-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

October 30th marked the one year anniversary of my grandma Q's passing. While of course I miss her dearly, I have a calm reassurance that she's spent the last year catching up with her friends and family, laughing the entire time. She's likely been playing golf with my grandpa on acres of freshly mowed grass that stretch for miles and miles, the view so pretty and the company so pleasant they don't even care if they lose a ball in the pond.

{via}

1) A pillow Q stitched that I keep on my bed. In the bottom left corner you can see her initials.

2) Jar of buttons that I inherited from Q. Growing up I use to always sneak into her closet to look at them. There are brass buttons from my grandpa's uniform from WWII along with pearl buttons from a blouse she wore as a little girl. It's such a nice keepsake that I'll always cherish.

3) A quiet forest that looks like a good spot for contemplation.

The Cowboy

2010-11-02T09:17:00.000-07:00

Lenny, definitely not by choice, is a cowboy every Halloween. It usually lasts for a good half hour, but then we just feel too bad and take it off him. With his old(er) age, and simply because he is the best dog in the whole word, he doesn't even put up a fight when we put the costume on him. Unfortunately though, he kept slipping in the costume so it had to be taken off. Lenny looks petrified in this picture. I'm glad that my mom threw in the pumpkin as a nice touch. I think it adds a lil something something to the picture (and it hides Lenny's ba-dunk-a-dunk).

DANCE DANCE DANCE

2010-10-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

Those moves are sooooo fine.

Brothers

2010-10-11T08:19:00.000-07:00

Having two older brothers is a healthy reminder that you're always closer to the bottom than you are to the top.

- Andy Roddick

Dear Andy, I couldn't agree more.

I must say

2010-10-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have been very pleased with my Zazzle purchases.

This one I got for my roommate Mallory for her birthday. Because, well, plain and simple, we both think Billy Madison might possibly be cinema at its finest.

This one I got for my brother Kevin's birthday. Because, well, we both think Karl Pinkerton, Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais are the bomb diggity.

What? People don't say bomb diggity anymore?

In unrelated news: I am at the union doing homework (kind of) and writing my column for the week (kind of). There is a man asleep in a chair about ten feet away from me. He has three empty Coke bottles next to him. And he just farted really loudly. Was it immature that I laughed? Would you have too?

Football + Family weekend in Madison

2010-10-02T08:27:00.001-07:00

This weekend I had to get stitches on my chin.

In short,

slippery bar floors + sandals with no traction whatsoever

Kathleen plummeting like a rock and smacking her face against the hardwood floor.

Having these stitches on my face has made me realize how

A) often I rest my chin on my hand

B) difficult it is to put on a shirt without touching your chin

C) laughing is a good thing EXCEPT when you have a laceration (what the doctor kept calling it) on your face.... every time I move my jaw my entire chin has this swelling and pulsing feeling that makes me want to cry.

But the chin incident (hence chincident) came after a laughter and smile filled weekend with my family. 23 of my relatives drove up from Chicago (or flew in from Florida) to experience a weekend as a Wisconsin Badger. We went to the game, ate popcorn and drank beer at the terrace that overlooks Lake Mendota, played bags and flag football, ate pumpkin bread and probably had too many cheese curds.

It was such an overwhelming joy to share this city with my family.

I want a repeat of the weekend !

(minus the whole falling in public and having a huge gash on my face. That, I could do without.)

The Giving Tree

2010-09-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

I've decided that if you don't like this book, then you don't have a soul.

That simple.