Party-of-One

Tonight I did something scary, I ate dinner. In a restaurant.  In the middle of families and dates.

All. By. Myself.

I realize this may not be a big deal, but for me it was a bit terrifying.  But here I am, in a hotel room in a new city training for my job.  I don't know anyone here and I needed to eat!  I ate in the past couple nights but I was ready for an adventure out.  So on I went!  I picked a cute little cantina down the road and took the plunge.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought! I'm an independent woman, booyah.

Pros of dining as an independent woman:
      1. I get the whole bowl of salsa (and seconds) all to myself
      2. I can double dip as much as I want
      3. The waitress pays me super extra attention
      4. Food comes as fast as it takes for them to make mine.

Cons of eating in the company of your thoughts:
      1. The waitress seemed to feel a little bad for me
      2. I think having a marg with dinner qualifies as drinking alone
      3. The hostess put me as close to the middle of the room as possible

Tips for feeding the soul (and belly):
      1. Look pretty - you feel like all eyes an on you, so you might as well impress them!
      2. Bring something to do - be it a book, or whatever, it's just nice to have something to do when you're waiting for your food
      3. Enjoy your own company.  It was nice to take as long as I wanted, savor the meal, and just have some time to relax and enjoy a good meal.

Overall, I had a nice time eating by myself.  I won't be doing it regularly though - it's still a bit terrifying and it's nice to have someone to talk to besides a concerned waitress!

Have you ever dined by yourself at a real restaurant?  Would you?

Tootles!

Missed me?

i havent blogged in forever! whoops. and i'm not going to blog much at this moment.  BUT I will give you a preview of what's to come so that maybeeee i'll do it!

first off - like my new layout/background? i've been needing a change! i'm also going to start labeling, woo!

- update on my great adventure with my mom (complete with pics!)

- follow my new adventure into decorating my new big girl apartment on a serious budget, living in a new city, and starting my big girl job!

I'm at a great place in my life right now, everything is pretty much new.  Yes i have the same friends, the same boyfriend, and the same me, but I'm at a place where I am finding out my decorating style, my work ethic, and my ability to survive on my own.  I'm really excited to be where I am and to learn and grow and change into a new woman.

Tootles!

Life and Change

Yesterday I met the most precious baby girl and cousin #16 (just on mom's side); Sophie.  She was just 4 days old and was a very sleepy bundle of joy.  I honestly don't think I have ever met a human that young.  My aunt has another baby who will be 1 on March 1 (along with her big babies of 13 and 15).  Seeing how much little Sammy had changed in this one year go me thinking: can we ever truly stop learning?  Sophie hasn't gained enough strength to hold her little head up but in less than a year she'll be chasing her brother around trying to learn new words (Sammy's favorite is "woooowww").

So much changes in a year when you are younger, but what about when you get older?  We think we have learned the major stuff, so is the rest just fine tuning?  I don't know, but we really can't ever stop.  As humans we must learn, adapt, sense, and change with our environments.

So, lets take a look at what has changed in this last year for me:
-Changed my hair color
-Trained and complete my 1st half marathon (legs and confidence in my abilities, along with the health of my knees changed significantly)
-Moved (both into my first apartment and my parents into their permanent AL home)
-Learned lots in school - finance, HR, production, storytelling, self defense...
-Got and am still learning how to use my new fancy cam
-Went from being terrified of to addicted to Criminal Minds
-Changed my watch

There are so many minute things that have changed in the last year it's almost overwhelming once you really start to think about it.  When I first started writing my list, I was thinking of major thing, then it turned into oh that's different, so is that, and that...  We truly never stand completely still

While we may not all be students forever or "lifelong learners" by name, we must be in practice.  You are a student of the world, every time you step outside something changes.  Every time you try something new, you could either learn you love __ or you hate __ .  There is absolutely no way to go through life, a year, or a day without changing or learning, whether we are conscious of it or not.  And while we all may know this, it sometimes takes a precious new life to really be aware of it.

And just in case you were wondering just how precious she really is, I've added some pictures:

 Littlest Sophie with grandmaSammy Playing 

So remember, life is beautiful and embrace each and every day you are blessed to have. 

Until next time...

Kate

Little about Love

Everyone seems to be blogging about how they feel about Valentines day, and while I may be a few days late, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon.

Valentines day used to be so much fun, everyone got to decorate a bag or mailbox to put on their desk for their 20 something cards they were guaranteed to receive.  Sure, best friends may give extra candy to each other, but no one ever got left out.  Now it has become so serious and so much pressure is put on each other to make the day special.  Maybe it's the hippie in me, but I think we should revert back and love everyone...or at least give them little pieces of paper and candy hearts that say we do.

Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love that I got flowers, a (re-made birthday) card, and a home cooked meal from my wonderful boyfriend.  But I was just as excited my mom also sent me a card and that a friend handed me a box of Sweethearts.

But back to my point - no matter if you are single or taken on one particular day of the year really doesn't matter.  Yes, it feels like it does that day, but in the grand scheme of things?  Nope.  Love yourself.  Don't feel bad if a boy or girl didn't kiss you goodnight on Feb 14, just be thankful you are alive, happy, and healthy.  Make a list of things you love about yourself and your life.  Write yourself a valentines day card saying "I Love YOU!" or just write a note on your bathroom mirror so you see it first thing everyday.  Love yourself first and you will exude such confidence and happiness that people will find so contagious they can't help but want to hang out with you.  So quit your whining people and just be happy.

And if none of this cures your valentines day woes...I hear chocolate works too :)


Until next time...
Kate

"Love is like happiness, it is most often found when you stop seeking it"

Interview #1

Hello Friends!

I had my first formal online interview today.  It was for the Peace Corps, which is very exciting to me!  It lasted an hour and 15 minutes and was very informative.  I'm really excited about this opportunity; it's  a once in a lifetime chance.  There is still a long way to go - I need to be nominated, go through medical and legal checks, then hopefully get a formal invite, then go to "staging" which is a pre-orientation in either D.C. or Philadelphia.  I'm also looking into other opportunities, just to make sure I've exhausted my options.

I'm scared to make this big choice, to be honest.  It could possibly change the rest of my life, depending on which path I take.  I have a teacher who keeps referring to "Alice in Wonderland" when Alice talks to the Cheshire Cat (see below).  It makes a lot of sense, and I keep thinking about it.  For my whole life, the path hasn't been to windy or forked too often, until now.  Now I think of every choice I make as potentially changing everything.  Do I pursue this or that, go here or there...I just really don't know.  I'm trying to figure it out, but at least I have a little bit of time!

Until next time...
Kate