As the second week of classes progresses, I am finding myself making very rash decisions about studying, hanging out with friends, sleeping, eating, exercising and being a normal human being. Sometimes I forget to eat. Sometimes I forget to sleep for more than three hours. I am literally scheduling time in with my friends. It may just be the start to a new semester that has me a little flustered, but I think it is the amount of classes and activities that I have taken on. I finally came to my senses and dropped one class, bringing my course load down to 18 hours, which I think is MUCH more manageable. On top of classes I have: The Collegiate Times, Kappa Kappa Gamma!! (YAY!), Peer Leader for the RLC and Homecoming Board which is going to be starting up any week now. As crazy as it sounds, I really want to join another club or two, but, honestly, when will I have time for that? I would love to make time though, but I just don't know if I can this semester. Maybe next semester, when everything slows down a little bit. Or maybe even next week, when my life begins to go back to normal.
As I was sitting in Media Writing today listening to my professor, I realized something -- once again. Our classes truly equal what our life is at the moment, and we need to put as much effort into getting the most out of our classes because, in turn, we will be getting the most out of our lives. If I sit in class for up to eight hours per day and do nothing except take notes, pay halfway decent attention to the teacher, and people watch - I will learn nothing. I need to put my life directly into my classes, because they are a portayl of who I am at this very moment. I have been staying up into the late hours of the night/morning, which is something I have never done before. Going to bed at or after midnight, normally after, and waking up around 9 am to try and get more work done. I also realized today that I need a bigger planner, because I am literally planning out my entire day. I need one of those planners that I can see the entire day on one huge page. With times. Yes, that should help me. I am planning eating and sleeping hours too - pathetic? Yes, but it just what I have to do this semester in order to keep my sanity somehow. Don't get me wrong, I honestly 100 percent love everything that I do. I am a big believer that you have to love everything that you do - and so far this semester, I am sticking true to what I believe. The only thing that I have not had a chance to do yet, which really, really upsets me, is to read before I go to sleep at night. I love books. No, I crave books. I just ordered four from Barnes and Noble today. I am a Barnes and Noble member as of December 2009 it's that bad. Whenever I am stressed, and have easy access to my car, I go to Barnes and Noble. It is my escape. So if you know I am having a bad day, show me a book or talk to me about a book that you are reading and it will immediately soothe me. I know that sounds weird - but it really does. So, friends, remember that. And if you want to make my day - give me/show me/tell me about/share a quote from a book that you love or are reading right now. It will make a world of difference to me.
I like to leave some sort of song lyrics or song suggestion on here, so here is one for the day.
1. The title of this post is from the song "New Soul" by Yael Naim -- it's a good one so check it out.
2. The song I have recently been playing on repeat is called " You Make It Real For Me" by James Morrison -- there is something about this song that is absolutely beautiful to me. I am not sure if it is the music, or if it is the lyrics, especially this line "When my head is strong but my heart is weak, I'm full of arrogance and uncertainty, When I can't find the words, You teach my heart to speak." You know those songs that just make you feel good and you love everything about them? Yeah. This is one of the ones that does that for me.
Music works wonders for me. I hope it does for you too.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
beauty lies within all.
beautiful. how do you define beautiful? is it looks, intelligence, personality, warm-heartedness? for me, it is a combination of everything. for a girl, being called 'beautiful' is a feeling unlike any other. I try to say it to my friends as often as I can because the feeling you get is unbelievable. For me, 'beautiful' is a word above all others. When it comes from best friends it feels great, but when it comes from someone you are in love with - it is a completely different feeling. I have never experienced that. I have never been in love. I cannot wait for that moment. I think it should be something that is said when you truly feel that it is true. It kills me when I hear girls say "I'm not pretty enough" or "I am not beautiful" just because some guy didn't tell them that they were. The girls I hear who say things like this are amazing, beautiful women who have no idea how great they are. beauty is present in every single person on the face of this earth. yes, you might have to look around to find it, but trust me - it is there. One of my new year's resolutions was to see the beauty in every single person I know and those who I have yet to meet. It really helps you think positively about people and the world as a whole.
One of my friends was the host of WUVT tonight, and my roommate and I decided to call in to him and request a song. He is one of the sweetest guys I have ever met and is one of my great friends and was thrilled when my roommate and I called him tonight. He put our request on, which was Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show, which is one of his personal favorites, and dedicated it to us. When he said the name of the song, he said that he wanted to dedicate it to "two beautiful ladies Kelsey and Yen." Little things like that just make you feel so good. When someone is so kind to you and sees the beauty within you, you cannot help look at the beauty that is found within them. It is a great feeling - I cannot stop smiling when I feel that way. Understanding that every person has a special beauty inside them is something that everyone needs to see. Sure, all of this might sound corny, but think about your close friends. Why are they your close friends? What is it about them that draws you to them? Is it their personality, their caring heart, the way they just understand you? Whatever it is, that is what makes them beautiful to you.
Beauty exists within every single person on this earth. If you look, you will find it. Take my advice - if you think someone is beautiful, let them know. It will be a feeling they never forget.
One of my friends was the host of WUVT tonight, and my roommate and I decided to call in to him and request a song. He is one of the sweetest guys I have ever met and is one of my great friends and was thrilled when my roommate and I called him tonight. He put our request on, which was Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show, which is one of his personal favorites, and dedicated it to us. When he said the name of the song, he said that he wanted to dedicate it to "two beautiful ladies Kelsey and Yen." Little things like that just make you feel so good. When someone is so kind to you and sees the beauty within you, you cannot help look at the beauty that is found within them. It is a great feeling - I cannot stop smiling when I feel that way. Understanding that every person has a special beauty inside them is something that everyone needs to see. Sure, all of this might sound corny, but think about your close friends. Why are they your close friends? What is it about them that draws you to them? Is it their personality, their caring heart, the way they just understand you? Whatever it is, that is what makes them beautiful to you.
Beauty exists within every single person on this earth. If you look, you will find it. Take my advice - if you think someone is beautiful, let them know. It will be a feeling they never forget.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
day two. exhausted.
I do not remember another time that I was this tired. I am being completely serious. I am not sure if this 21 hours thing is going to work out as well as I had hoped. The amount of work in each of my classes is crazy. Maybe not individually it is a lot - but when all of my classes are put together, it is a ton of work. Oh well, I brought it upon myself, so I will have to deal with it. Today I had a class called Media Writing and one of our assignments was actually to start a blog, so obviously I am way ahead of that, which is good. One thing I don't have to worry about. I am not sure what I have to do with that assignment though, I think I can just write whatever I feel like - sort of what I am doing now. I like blogging. It is my escape from homework for the day and a way for me to vent and just get my feelings out, whether positive or negative. I feel as though all of my classes are going to very interesting this semester because I have really good professors, except for one, who I think is strange, but other than that they all seem great.
Another plus is having friends in almost all of my classes. That is great. If I didn't have friends that I already, I made friends today and yesterday in my classes. Just having the courage to start a conversation with a random stranger really shows me how much more of a confident person I have grown into over the past few months, and I am really proud of myself for it. It may seem trivial - starting a conversation with a random person - and I feel like, yes, it was something I was able to do before, but I am better at it now.
I have been staring at the same page in my Communication Research book for twenty minutes now. If that is any indication as to how the semester is going to go, that is NOT a good sign. At all. I think that I am going to be spending all of my time reading/doing homework/going to class/napping (I hope I have time for naps)/working on Homecoming Board/editing for the CT/doing PL stuff/working on Big Event/and soon a sorority. Wow. WOW. This will definitely be an interesting semester. One where I am going to rely heavily on careful planning.
Education is sort of a strange concept when you think about it. We are paying to be taught by professors, but in the end all that - most of us - care about is getting a decent grade in the class. Granted a lot of classes teach great life lessons, but others do not in any way leave a significant impact on you. Take for instance Math 1015 and 1016. For me, those two classes served two purposes: 1. To get my math credit out of the way. 2. To torture me. I am serious here. Who wants to learn math from a computer? Really? I was in hell. This is where I feel like our educational system is really screwed up. But, on the other hand, when I have classes like I did today, I know our educational system is working for my and our benefit.
One of my teachers put it really well today. He explained to our class that life is what you make of it. Our education is what we make of it. Although we are here to make good grades and learn how to study, etc. - the point of school is to learn how to be successful in the future and for the rest of our lives. Understanding our place in the world and how everyone has a different place and serves a different purpose in life.
Think about your purpose in life. I think it's something that we all need to do.
Another plus is having friends in almost all of my classes. That is great. If I didn't have friends that I already, I made friends today and yesterday in my classes. Just having the courage to start a conversation with a random stranger really shows me how much more of a confident person I have grown into over the past few months, and I am really proud of myself for it. It may seem trivial - starting a conversation with a random person - and I feel like, yes, it was something I was able to do before, but I am better at it now.
I have been staring at the same page in my Communication Research book for twenty minutes now. If that is any indication as to how the semester is going to go, that is NOT a good sign. At all. I think that I am going to be spending all of my time reading/doing homework/going to class/napping (I hope I have time for naps)/working on Homecoming Board/editing for the CT/doing PL stuff/working on Big Event/and soon a sorority. Wow. WOW. This will definitely be an interesting semester. One where I am going to rely heavily on careful planning.
Education is sort of a strange concept when you think about it. We are paying to be taught by professors, but in the end all that - most of us - care about is getting a decent grade in the class. Granted a lot of classes teach great life lessons, but others do not in any way leave a significant impact on you. Take for instance Math 1015 and 1016. For me, those two classes served two purposes: 1. To get my math credit out of the way. 2. To torture me. I am serious here. Who wants to learn math from a computer? Really? I was in hell. This is where I feel like our educational system is really screwed up. But, on the other hand, when I have classes like I did today, I know our educational system is working for my and our benefit.
One of my teachers put it really well today. He explained to our class that life is what you make of it. Our education is what we make of it. Although we are here to make good grades and learn how to study, etc. - the point of school is to learn how to be successful in the future and for the rest of our lives. Understanding our place in the world and how everyone has a different place and serves a different purpose in life.
Think about your purpose in life. I think it's something that we all need to do.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
day one.
The first day of classes is always exciting. No matter if you are in first grade, or are a sophomore in college. I will admit that I was excited for today - as strange as that may sound. When I was younger I loved picking out a first day of school outfit to wear. It was always something really cute and I wore it proudly. I did that all the way through high school, and even during my first year of college. Then sophomore year came and that was the end of that. My outfit today consisted of: jeans, uggs, a self-made tie dye shirt and a sweatshirt/sweater thing. Complete with hair up. I added a bow though, so I feel like that makes up for something. I think it is the 21 hours of courses looming over my head this semester, but all I want to do is wear a sweatshirt and uggs...every single day. But, after looking around today, that is what a majority of our campus is clothed in, so it works. After today was over, I was relieved. My classes are going to be tough. Yeah yeah, English and Communication major nothing - they are going to be a ton of work. I am really only looking forward to one class, and that is the one that I am a Peer Leader for this semester. The students seem great and are willing to put up with my silly antics and games during class, so I have a good feeling about this class for the semester.
I am determined to get all A's this semester (I almost did last semester, so I AM going to do it this semester) -- it will happen. No distractions, careful planning, and hard work are my keys to success. I have big plans for myself this semester, some too personal and sacred to write on here, but others that are not.
1. Find a mentor at school -- someone I can really look up to and count on
2. Change someone's life -- no matter how small or large the impact
3. Continue to grow in my new found confidence
4. Grow in my faith
5. Achieve the best I can academically
6. Learn to love my friends even more than I do now
7. Make a list of my flaws, great and small, and work to fix them
Those are just some among an on-going list that I am making for myself. I am finally beginning down the road that I cannot wait to be on. The road that involves a better, more loving, more confident, more able me. The me who knows where she is going in life. This semester will bring great things, and that will only continue and get better as I venture out on my own this summer in DC.
"It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually."
Life comes at you fast - and I feel like I am finally ready for it to come at me with full force. Spring semester: here it goes.
I am determined to get all A's this semester (I almost did last semester, so I AM going to do it this semester) -- it will happen. No distractions, careful planning, and hard work are my keys to success. I have big plans for myself this semester, some too personal and sacred to write on here, but others that are not.
1. Find a mentor at school -- someone I can really look up to and count on
2. Change someone's life -- no matter how small or large the impact
3. Continue to grow in my new found confidence
4. Grow in my faith
5. Achieve the best I can academically
6. Learn to love my friends even more than I do now
7. Make a list of my flaws, great and small, and work to fix them
Those are just some among an on-going list that I am making for myself. I am finally beginning down the road that I cannot wait to be on. The road that involves a better, more loving, more confident, more able me. The me who knows where she is going in life. This semester will bring great things, and that will only continue and get better as I venture out on my own this summer in DC.
"It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually."
Life comes at you fast - and I feel like I am finally ready for it to come at me with full force. Spring semester: here it goes.
Monday, January 18, 2010
last semester: year two
It is so strange to think about how quickly college is flying by. I am starting my second semester of my sophomore year - even though, in some ways, I still feel like I am a freshman. It just does not seem real to me. Of course it does, but sometimes I just want it all to slow down. I am not sure if I am ready for the "real world" and I want to stay in college as long as I can. But - as reality sets in, I know I can't. Coming back to school and being with my friends again reminds me how much I truly love Virginia Tech. I feel the most comfortable when I am at school, almost as if I am in another universe. I know that probably sounds weird, but I love it.
I cannot wait to start a new semester. 21 credit hours - bring. it. on. I am going to be very busy this semester, but thankfully I plan my life out according to a schedule, so all should be okay.
I cannot wait to start a new semester. 21 credit hours - bring. it. on. I am going to be very busy this semester, but thankfully I plan my life out according to a schedule, so all should be okay.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
if you're wondering if i want you to - i want you to
Interview day round numero dos. I have officially decided that I will be spending my summer in DC and I CANNOT wait. Smithsonian - here I come.
Two - I write long blog posts, so this will be short, I promise.
Tomorrow is my last day in Williamsburg for a while, but I am so anxious to get back to Tech, for so many reasons. Recruitment, new classes, old friends, new friends, new experiences - YES. 21 credit hours here I come! Don't worry - I'm not that crazy to actually take 21 hours worth of classes. I have 18 plus a student teaching assistant position, so it's not that bad.
I just watched American Idol...for two hours. Ridiculous. I have to go buy 1,000 things before I leave for school Thursday morning...at 8 am. Boo.
This post is ridiculous, probably because I am exhausted, waking up at 7 am and driving for 3 hours today can do that to a person. I will leave you all with this since you read this pointless post:
Smile - It makes a world of difference
Dance - Who knows when you won't be able to
Cry - Holding those emotions in is bad for you
Hug - Helps you and another feel more at peace
Laugh - Because what is the point in hiding happiness?
Live - Because life is everything
...and just because:
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
-Robert Heinlein
Two - I write long blog posts, so this will be short, I promise.
Tomorrow is my last day in Williamsburg for a while, but I am so anxious to get back to Tech, for so many reasons. Recruitment, new classes, old friends, new friends, new experiences - YES. 21 credit hours here I come! Don't worry - I'm not that crazy to actually take 21 hours worth of classes. I have 18 plus a student teaching assistant position, so it's not that bad.
I just watched American Idol...for two hours. Ridiculous. I have to go buy 1,000 things before I leave for school Thursday morning...at 8 am. Boo.
This post is ridiculous, probably because I am exhausted, waking up at 7 am and driving for 3 hours today can do that to a person. I will leave you all with this since you read this pointless post:
Smile - It makes a world of difference
Dance - Who knows when you won't be able to
Cry - Holding those emotions in is bad for you
Hug - Helps you and another feel more at peace
Laugh - Because what is the point in hiding happiness?
Live - Because life is everything
...and just because:
"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
-Robert Heinlein
Monday, January 11, 2010
perfection.
We all try to be perfect - you cannot, in any way, say that we do not. Perfect grades, friends, family, boyfriend/girlfriend, car, job, hair, skin, body - the perfect self. Why do we try so hard to be a perfect human being? A perfect human being does not even exist. I am not saying that I am any different. I try my hardest to get the best grades, portray my family in the most attractive way that I can, make sure every curl and wave of my hair falls the way I want it to, and most of all, find the right clothes to make me look like so many people want to look: thin, young, and beautiful. I give in to commercialism, the latest trends, buy this, you need this, you must have that - it is disgusting, and I am a victim to it's crime. But really, aren't we all?
Sure, we all have different extents of how far we will 'give in' but it is a part of life! We have to do it! I am not saying that it is all bad, but there are some things that we could give up and still live a happy fulfilled life. We don't need ALL designer and name brand clothes - hell, clothes are everywhere we look, from Wal-Mart to Tyson's Corner, in the end, they are all the same and have one purpose: to clothe our bodies. That's what they were invented for isn't it? But who am I kidding? I shop at Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Banana Republic - I give in. Everyday. It is my weakness, and I can admit that. So what is the point? WHAT'S THE POINT? The point is simple: we shop for designer labels, we make sure our hair is perfect in every way, and that our makeup is flawless. Why? To be accepted. We want others to accept us. And I think that is perfectly fine. I have no room to say "No we shouldn't cash out the big bucks for others to like us, it doesn't matter what they think!" Wake up. It does. This is what life is all about. Finding others who accept you and living with and around them. It is our life - and contrary to what others might say, I do not think it is a completely 'bad and wrong' idea.
We make ourselves look the best that we can to be accepted. I had this revelation as I was at the gym today. Why do I go to the gym: to be healthy, to exercise, to lose weight, to gain muscle, so in the end I can look better, feel better, and be seen as "attractive" to others. Isn't that what we all do? When you pull it apart like that, I think, for most of us, at our core, it is. I love the gym I go to at home - it's great, but today I looked at it from a different perspective, from an outsider's perspective. Women in tight spandex, tight (sometimes low cut) tops, men in shorts and shirts with the sleeves cut off to show off their sculpted bodies. It all makes sense! Men grunting as they bench press with other guys, seeing who can lift the most - primitive living at it's finest. Don't get me wrong, grunting and cut off shirts works for me, especially when they are attractive grunting half-shirtless men - even better. See! It all comes back to that! Attraction. We want to appear attractive - and that is why we are at the gym.
I know that I am not having some ground-breaking discovery here, I am just taking the simple facts that we are faced with everyday and breaking them down piece-by-piece. We, meaning people as a whole, are trying to reach their idea of 'perfection' - no matter what that entails. And it is a part of life and NOTHING can change that. That is how the world works. As I said before, I am a victim to every single one of those parts I listed above. I know how I think about it, but I wonder how others portray perfection? Is it viewed as something to strive for? Like a sort of 'ultimate goal'? Maybe. I can only speak for myself. I mean, why do I have this blog? Well, one, as a way for me to say what I think because I love to write, but also, for you to read it! I want you to read what I think. Is that selfish - no? It is just me trying to reach that state of my 'perfect self' by having others read what I write. It is all this huge circle that makes the world go 'round. Like I said before, I do not find anything wrong with it, it is just the way life is.
I guess maybe I should have appraoched this from another way, but I don't want to go back now. What I wrote is how I feel - raw emotion that I don't want to take back because I feel like I would be cheating you of my response. I think what I really want to say is that there is no end all 'perfection.' I am coming to terms with accepting that because I am learning to, finally, accept who I truly am, and I think coming to terms with who YOU are helps you learn that there is no sort of perfection to be achieved in the world. You need to accept the person that you are, understand that you are beautiful and have so much to offer the world and all of the people who live in it, and continue to live your life doing what you love and being around the people that love you and make you happy. It is simple when, again, you boil it down to what it truly is - that self-perfection that we are all, in some way, seeking.
So say it with me: 'I am beautiful. I truly do love the person I am. I do make a difference in the world. I will work to become happy and proud of the life I live. I love myself.' Cheesy? Maybe. But think about it - if we thought about ourselves in a way like this, our world would be a much happier place because people would not be focused on trying to create perfection, they would be focused on creating what is truly important, and that is learning, living, and loving. So go out, buy your $200 pair of shoes - it is what makes our whole go 'round. But remember, people will love you for who you are HERE and NOW. Don't think that pair of shoes will make someone change the way they think about you - reality check, it won't. Find out how to love yourself, because in the end, that is what's really worth it.
Sure, we all have different extents of how far we will 'give in' but it is a part of life! We have to do it! I am not saying that it is all bad, but there are some things that we could give up and still live a happy fulfilled life. We don't need ALL designer and name brand clothes - hell, clothes are everywhere we look, from Wal-Mart to Tyson's Corner, in the end, they are all the same and have one purpose: to clothe our bodies. That's what they were invented for isn't it? But who am I kidding? I shop at Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Banana Republic - I give in. Everyday. It is my weakness, and I can admit that. So what is the point? WHAT'S THE POINT? The point is simple: we shop for designer labels, we make sure our hair is perfect in every way, and that our makeup is flawless. Why? To be accepted. We want others to accept us. And I think that is perfectly fine. I have no room to say "No we shouldn't cash out the big bucks for others to like us, it doesn't matter what they think!" Wake up. It does. This is what life is all about. Finding others who accept you and living with and around them. It is our life - and contrary to what others might say, I do not think it is a completely 'bad and wrong' idea.
We make ourselves look the best that we can to be accepted. I had this revelation as I was at the gym today. Why do I go to the gym: to be healthy, to exercise, to lose weight, to gain muscle, so in the end I can look better, feel better, and be seen as "attractive" to others. Isn't that what we all do? When you pull it apart like that, I think, for most of us, at our core, it is. I love the gym I go to at home - it's great, but today I looked at it from a different perspective, from an outsider's perspective. Women in tight spandex, tight (sometimes low cut) tops, men in shorts and shirts with the sleeves cut off to show off their sculpted bodies. It all makes sense! Men grunting as they bench press with other guys, seeing who can lift the most - primitive living at it's finest. Don't get me wrong, grunting and cut off shirts works for me, especially when they are attractive grunting half-shirtless men - even better. See! It all comes back to that! Attraction. We want to appear attractive - and that is why we are at the gym.
I know that I am not having some ground-breaking discovery here, I am just taking the simple facts that we are faced with everyday and breaking them down piece-by-piece. We, meaning people as a whole, are trying to reach their idea of 'perfection' - no matter what that entails. And it is a part of life and NOTHING can change that. That is how the world works. As I said before, I am a victim to every single one of those parts I listed above. I know how I think about it, but I wonder how others portray perfection? Is it viewed as something to strive for? Like a sort of 'ultimate goal'? Maybe. I can only speak for myself. I mean, why do I have this blog? Well, one, as a way for me to say what I think because I love to write, but also, for you to read it! I want you to read what I think. Is that selfish - no? It is just me trying to reach that state of my 'perfect self' by having others read what I write. It is all this huge circle that makes the world go 'round. Like I said before, I do not find anything wrong with it, it is just the way life is.
I guess maybe I should have appraoched this from another way, but I don't want to go back now. What I wrote is how I feel - raw emotion that I don't want to take back because I feel like I would be cheating you of my response. I think what I really want to say is that there is no end all 'perfection.' I am coming to terms with accepting that because I am learning to, finally, accept who I truly am, and I think coming to terms with who YOU are helps you learn that there is no sort of perfection to be achieved in the world. You need to accept the person that you are, understand that you are beautiful and have so much to offer the world and all of the people who live in it, and continue to live your life doing what you love and being around the people that love you and make you happy. It is simple when, again, you boil it down to what it truly is - that self-perfection that we are all, in some way, seeking.
So say it with me: 'I am beautiful. I truly do love the person I am. I do make a difference in the world. I will work to become happy and proud of the life I live. I love myself.' Cheesy? Maybe. But think about it - if we thought about ourselves in a way like this, our world would be a much happier place because people would not be focused on trying to create perfection, they would be focused on creating what is truly important, and that is learning, living, and loving. So go out, buy your $200 pair of shoes - it is what makes our whole go 'round. But remember, people will love you for who you are HERE and NOW. Don't think that pair of shoes will make someone change the way they think about you - reality check, it won't. Find out how to love yourself, because in the end, that is what's really worth it.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
home is where the heart is
Home.
A word that brings almost immediate comfort to most. Although, as a college student, it is a strange word. I have two places I call home - Williamsburg and Blacksburg. Certain aspects, or really people, of both places is what makes me call each 'home.' Growing up in a military family, I have always had a house, but never really a home. When I moved to Williamsburg, and stayed for longer than two years, it was more than my parents and my house that made this town my home - it was that one person who I can truly call my best friend, Beth. We are the longest friend either of us has ever had - 6 and a half years, now that's dedication. Williamsburg is a great place to live, and it was where I did most of my growing up, seeing as I have lived here since middle school. But this town gave me my best friend. We have shared every known emotion with each other. We have grown together, and without her, this place would not feel as much like home.
It also gave me a little sister that I never had. It is a great feeling knowing that you are there for someone else to rely on, that you have a life that you can impact - someone who looks up to you. Shannon gave me that - and I love her so much for it. Sometimes, we don't even need words when we are around each other, but other times, we need as many words as we can latch on to at that moment. I look up to her. She is strong, independent, intelligent beyond belief, and unaware of her own incredible beauty - and that is what makes her so special to me. We can sit in silence, we can sing at the top of our lungs, or we can just be there - and knowing that someone is there for us is what 'home' is really all about.
Fast forward to college. Sure, leaving home was a new challenge for me, but moving to a different place, that was easy - I have been doing it all of my life. Coming to college was scary. New people, huge classes, the wrong major - it sure was different, but what made it all easier was the group of people I met. We have been there for each other, through thick and thin, for the past year a half. You know who you are. The two suites plus the few of us from different floors - we shared it all. Laughter, tears, heartbreaks, parties, homework, and late nights. These are the people I call my friends - my solid 'group.' I have a lot of friends at school, but at the end of the day, or ridiculous weekend, these are the ones who are always there. And even though we have all changed and have grown over the past year and a half, we can still reunite and talk like nothing has changed. That is why I love Blacksburg. It is familiar. Familiar faces, places, classes, and atmospheres. It is the type of place I find myself loving and hating all at the same time. The place I long to be but also long to get away from.
When I am at 'home,' I miss Blacksburg. I miss the little things:
1. Waking up to a roommate whom I adore, and seeing her sleepily smile at me from across the room, fumble to put her glasses on, and immediately greet me with 'Good Morning!'
2. My best friend at school. Spending hours together on a daily basis, understanding what the other is going through and knowing exactly what to say to make it better. Spending every.single.weekend together - doing ridiculous things, and loving every minute of it.
3. The routine. I live for the routine. I love school. I love learning. I love knowing that the CT office is always there with welcoming doors when I don't want to go anywhere else, or that I can spend hours at the Math Emporium without, completely, losing my mind.
These little things cannot be found at my first home, but will always be available at my second.
Next year I am going to have a real 'home' in Blacksburg with three of my favorite girls. These three girls know it all. I can sit with any of them for hours upon end and have some of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had in my life. They get me. Simple as that. It's a beautiful thing, and I love knowing that it is there. I am going to play friend/mom/confidant/cook next year to these lovely ladies - and I cannot wait. love love love.
Home really is 'where the heart is.' Those special people in our lives create the 'home' that we have. Whether near or far, they are always there. Waiting for us upon arrival, greeting us warmly and without caution, because all that matters is that we are there with them at that very moment.
Have you ever really thought about where your 'home' is? Do. It will help you realize the genuine, caring individuals in your life and why they mean so much to you. This summer, I will most likely be living close to the D.C. area for my internship. I will create another type of home up there, with old family friends welcoming me into their own family for the summer. I will not have any familiar surroundings, and only four other familiar faces - so this is my time. One big city, one big responsiblity, one well-known institution - and me.
But I know, when I return home, wherever that might be, that there will be someone, waiting for me, with a warm smile, and a heart forever open.
A word that brings almost immediate comfort to most. Although, as a college student, it is a strange word. I have two places I call home - Williamsburg and Blacksburg. Certain aspects, or really people, of both places is what makes me call each 'home.' Growing up in a military family, I have always had a house, but never really a home. When I moved to Williamsburg, and stayed for longer than two years, it was more than my parents and my house that made this town my home - it was that one person who I can truly call my best friend, Beth. We are the longest friend either of us has ever had - 6 and a half years, now that's dedication. Williamsburg is a great place to live, and it was where I did most of my growing up, seeing as I have lived here since middle school. But this town gave me my best friend. We have shared every known emotion with each other. We have grown together, and without her, this place would not feel as much like home.
It also gave me a little sister that I never had. It is a great feeling knowing that you are there for someone else to rely on, that you have a life that you can impact - someone who looks up to you. Shannon gave me that - and I love her so much for it. Sometimes, we don't even need words when we are around each other, but other times, we need as many words as we can latch on to at that moment. I look up to her. She is strong, independent, intelligent beyond belief, and unaware of her own incredible beauty - and that is what makes her so special to me. We can sit in silence, we can sing at the top of our lungs, or we can just be there - and knowing that someone is there for us is what 'home' is really all about.
Fast forward to college. Sure, leaving home was a new challenge for me, but moving to a different place, that was easy - I have been doing it all of my life. Coming to college was scary. New people, huge classes, the wrong major - it sure was different, but what made it all easier was the group of people I met. We have been there for each other, through thick and thin, for the past year a half. You know who you are. The two suites plus the few of us from different floors - we shared it all. Laughter, tears, heartbreaks, parties, homework, and late nights. These are the people I call my friends - my solid 'group.' I have a lot of friends at school, but at the end of the day, or ridiculous weekend, these are the ones who are always there. And even though we have all changed and have grown over the past year and a half, we can still reunite and talk like nothing has changed. That is why I love Blacksburg. It is familiar. Familiar faces, places, classes, and atmospheres. It is the type of place I find myself loving and hating all at the same time. The place I long to be but also long to get away from.
When I am at 'home,' I miss Blacksburg. I miss the little things:
1. Waking up to a roommate whom I adore, and seeing her sleepily smile at me from across the room, fumble to put her glasses on, and immediately greet me with 'Good Morning!'
2. My best friend at school. Spending hours together on a daily basis, understanding what the other is going through and knowing exactly what to say to make it better. Spending every.single.weekend together - doing ridiculous things, and loving every minute of it.
3. The routine. I live for the routine. I love school. I love learning. I love knowing that the CT office is always there with welcoming doors when I don't want to go anywhere else, or that I can spend hours at the Math Emporium without, completely, losing my mind.
These little things cannot be found at my first home, but will always be available at my second.
Next year I am going to have a real 'home' in Blacksburg with three of my favorite girls. These three girls know it all. I can sit with any of them for hours upon end and have some of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had in my life. They get me. Simple as that. It's a beautiful thing, and I love knowing that it is there. I am going to play friend/mom/confidant/cook next year to these lovely ladies - and I cannot wait. love love love.
Home really is 'where the heart is.' Those special people in our lives create the 'home' that we have. Whether near or far, they are always there. Waiting for us upon arrival, greeting us warmly and without caution, because all that matters is that we are there with them at that very moment.
Have you ever really thought about where your 'home' is? Do. It will help you realize the genuine, caring individuals in your life and why they mean so much to you. This summer, I will most likely be living close to the D.C. area for my internship. I will create another type of home up there, with old family friends welcoming me into their own family for the summer. I will not have any familiar surroundings, and only four other familiar faces - so this is my time. One big city, one big responsiblity, one well-known institution - and me.
But I know, when I return home, wherever that might be, that there will be someone, waiting for me, with a warm smile, and a heart forever open.
way up there, you and i, you and i
As winter break comes to an end, I find myself thinking what I have accomplished. I had a plan for myself before break even started -
1. find a summer internship
2. work out everyday
3. read lots of books
4. make new mixed cds
5. enjoy time with my parents and other various family
6. learn a new hobby
7. sleep a LOT
So here is what happened:
1. I decided that I do not want to go to law school anymore. Yeah, I change my mind a lot - deal with it. I want to change my English option to "Professional Writing" as I feel that it will benefit me more in life, so I will do that when I get back to school. I am still a double major with Communication, which has worked to my benefit over break. INTERNSHIPS - yes. So I started by applying for various law firms at home, but two weeks into doing that, with NO call backs, I said forget that and started on a new path - to follow my comm major and see where it would take me. Well, it has done me proud. I applied for various internships in Richmond: Special Olympics PR/Marketing Intern, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Intern, Richmond Kickers PR Intern, CRT/tanako Intern -- then I decided to try my luck by applying to be an intern for the White House this summer, I didn't even send in half of the application, whatever. BUT, here is where it gets good.
I got three callbacks - 1. CRT/tanako, Special Olympics and -drumroll- the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where I would be working on the Encyclopedia of Life project. YEAH. Pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I had a phone interview witht the Smithsonian and the woman who is heading up the EOL project (go to eol.org and check it out) and it went very, VERY well. So I got an email two days later telling me I got the position. I am pretty proud of myself. Now I have to figure out where I am going to live and that will seal the deal. We have good family friends in Springfield so I think I can live with them, we'll see. Anyone want to offer up a room? I will pay. The best part about this is that I did this all by myself, I found the internship, I applied, I had a successful interview and I landed the job. I am going to have, basically, a REAL job this summer. Unpaid - of course. Still, it's fun. I get to wear suits and ride the metro and walk across the "lawn" everyday and see the Washington Monument everyday and then walk up the thousand steps to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, change into my heels, and see big taxidermied elephants every morning as I walk in. How much better does it get? I think it is pretty awesome. I will be working with scientists and researchers to help in the creation of EOL -- I am too excited for words. Or not, since I wrote all of this.
2. Work out everyday -- success. I have, once again, become addicted to the gym. It also helped to have good looking guys in there everyday. Can we say motivation?
3. Read lots of books -- final count: 7. I still have 8 that I want to read/currently own. I love books. I became a member of Barnes and Noble over break - thanks to a $25 gift card that I receieved for Christmas. Perfection.
4. Make lots of mixed cds -- 2. Lame, I know. I don't have my music contributors at home (Rachel and Yen) which makes it difficult for new music when I don't want to buy it. BUT HEY - two is more than I had before. Car ride to Blacksburg, here I come.
5. Enjoy time with my parents/family -- success. It's tough being an only child sometimes because when I come home all of the attention is on me. It's nice sometimes, but, being an ISTJ, I like my time alone. I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but when they went back to work, it was nice to have some alone time. My mom and I bond over our love of many things, including: shopping, cooking, baking, interior decorating, Christmas, my cat, and home goods. Therefore, for Christmas, she began the HUGE pile of apartment "stuff" for me for next year. Kitchen supplies, towels, bowls, silverware, placemats, cooking utensils, dining room table, chairs, lamps, etc. It was great. We also went shopping together too many times and spent too much money, oh it's good to be home. My dad and I are a completely different story. We share fewer and dramatically different bonds: my cat, the outdoors, cars, Virginia Tech, and football. Oh winter break, the season of bowl games! My dad is always in a pool with his golfing and work buddies for the bowl games. He was on a roll this year, winning the upset games at the beginning, with a 15 out of 16 game winning streak. Him and I have some friendly competition with bowl games -- this is where I play the "son he never had" role, spending time with him watching football on any given day. He had some shady picks towards the end, like NOT picking Penn state, Ohio State, Florida -- dumb. All the while fun for me, as I won and he didn't. We also had some cute father/daughter lunch outings over break...watching football. Do you see a trend?
6. Learn a new hobby -- success x 2. I am a grandma and decided that I wanted to learn how to knit. It took about 2 days but I had the beginning of a maroon scarf. I want to make it maroon and orange but I am scared to add a new color yarn, so I will save that for my next scarf. For now, it's just maroon and will fit around my cat as of right now, so I have to keep working on it. Also, I started this blog. Hobbies times 2.
7. Sleep a lot -- VERY successful. I would go to bed around 11 or so pretty much every night, and then wake up around 9:30 or 10 everyday. Perfection. Basically my day went like this:
9:30-10 am - wake up
11 - 1 pm - gym
shower
lunch
shop/knit/read
dinner
knit/read/tv
bed
It was exactly what a break should be. But now I am ready to get back to school, and be productive again. The most scholarly place I saw all break was Barnes and Noble, so it's time to get back to reality. Also, I miss everyone. Countdown to Blacksburg, and recruitment, 4 days.
1. find a summer internship
2. work out everyday
3. read lots of books
4. make new mixed cds
5. enjoy time with my parents and other various family
6. learn a new hobby
7. sleep a LOT
So here is what happened:
1. I decided that I do not want to go to law school anymore. Yeah, I change my mind a lot - deal with it. I want to change my English option to "Professional Writing" as I feel that it will benefit me more in life, so I will do that when I get back to school. I am still a double major with Communication, which has worked to my benefit over break. INTERNSHIPS - yes. So I started by applying for various law firms at home, but two weeks into doing that, with NO call backs, I said forget that and started on a new path - to follow my comm major and see where it would take me. Well, it has done me proud. I applied for various internships in Richmond: Special Olympics PR/Marketing Intern, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Intern, Richmond Kickers PR Intern, CRT/tanako Intern -- then I decided to try my luck by applying to be an intern for the White House this summer, I didn't even send in half of the application, whatever. BUT, here is where it gets good.
I got three callbacks - 1. CRT/tanako, Special Olympics and -drumroll- the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where I would be working on the Encyclopedia of Life project. YEAH. Pretty awesome if I do say so myself. I had a phone interview witht the Smithsonian and the woman who is heading up the EOL project (go to eol.org and check it out) and it went very, VERY well. So I got an email two days later telling me I got the position. I am pretty proud of myself. Now I have to figure out where I am going to live and that will seal the deal. We have good family friends in Springfield so I think I can live with them, we'll see. Anyone want to offer up a room? I will pay. The best part about this is that I did this all by myself, I found the internship, I applied, I had a successful interview and I landed the job. I am going to have, basically, a REAL job this summer. Unpaid - of course. Still, it's fun. I get to wear suits and ride the metro and walk across the "lawn" everyday and see the Washington Monument everyday and then walk up the thousand steps to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, change into my heels, and see big taxidermied elephants every morning as I walk in. How much better does it get? I think it is pretty awesome. I will be working with scientists and researchers to help in the creation of EOL -- I am too excited for words. Or not, since I wrote all of this.
2. Work out everyday -- success. I have, once again, become addicted to the gym. It also helped to have good looking guys in there everyday. Can we say motivation?
3. Read lots of books -- final count: 7. I still have 8 that I want to read/currently own. I love books. I became a member of Barnes and Noble over break - thanks to a $25 gift card that I receieved for Christmas. Perfection.
4. Make lots of mixed cds -- 2. Lame, I know. I don't have my music contributors at home (Rachel and Yen) which makes it difficult for new music when I don't want to buy it. BUT HEY - two is more than I had before. Car ride to Blacksburg, here I come.
5. Enjoy time with my parents/family -- success. It's tough being an only child sometimes because when I come home all of the attention is on me. It's nice sometimes, but, being an ISTJ, I like my time alone. I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but when they went back to work, it was nice to have some alone time. My mom and I bond over our love of many things, including: shopping, cooking, baking, interior decorating, Christmas, my cat, and home goods. Therefore, for Christmas, she began the HUGE pile of apartment "stuff" for me for next year. Kitchen supplies, towels, bowls, silverware, placemats, cooking utensils, dining room table, chairs, lamps, etc. It was great. We also went shopping together too many times and spent too much money, oh it's good to be home. My dad and I are a completely different story. We share fewer and dramatically different bonds: my cat, the outdoors, cars, Virginia Tech, and football. Oh winter break, the season of bowl games! My dad is always in a pool with his golfing and work buddies for the bowl games. He was on a roll this year, winning the upset games at the beginning, with a 15 out of 16 game winning streak. Him and I have some friendly competition with bowl games -- this is where I play the "son he never had" role, spending time with him watching football on any given day. He had some shady picks towards the end, like NOT picking Penn state, Ohio State, Florida -- dumb. All the while fun for me, as I won and he didn't. We also had some cute father/daughter lunch outings over break...watching football. Do you see a trend?
6. Learn a new hobby -- success x 2. I am a grandma and decided that I wanted to learn how to knit. It took about 2 days but I had the beginning of a maroon scarf. I want to make it maroon and orange but I am scared to add a new color yarn, so I will save that for my next scarf. For now, it's just maroon and will fit around my cat as of right now, so I have to keep working on it. Also, I started this blog. Hobbies times 2.
7. Sleep a lot -- VERY successful. I would go to bed around 11 or so pretty much every night, and then wake up around 9:30 or 10 everyday. Perfection. Basically my day went like this:
9:30-10 am - wake up
11 - 1 pm - gym
shower
lunch
shop/knit/read
dinner
knit/read/tv
bed
It was exactly what a break should be. But now I am ready to get back to school, and be productive again. The most scholarly place I saw all break was Barnes and Noble, so it's time to get back to reality. Also, I miss everyone. Countdown to Blacksburg, and recruitment, 4 days.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
numbaaa one
2009 was a year of new beginnings for me - and I thought that starting a blog would help me to continue on a path to continue the list of goals I have for myself, one being to start a blog and write as frequently as I can. I want to start with a note I wrote on facebook during the summer of 2009:
Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress.
- Charles Dickens
As I contemplate how to sum up this past year, I feel as though Dickens puts it best. Every single one of us has gone through a "succession of changes" even though we might not be able to pinpoint every one of them, those changes still happened.
This year I have learned many things. I have hurt numerous people. I have felt immense pain. I have been both ashamed and proud of myself. I have recognized my own harmony. I have felt ugly. I have felt beautiful. I have learned the power of words. I have learned the power of silence.
I learned how to grow up. I was faced with the challenge of being alone for the first time, not knowing what to expect. The beauty of it was, that I was not alone. We all met, we bonded, we lived, we loved, we lost, we learned, we grew. Each and every one of us. In big ways, in small ways, but, in some way, we did. We are not the same people, we are better.
Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
- Golda Meir
I have learned to trust myself. I trust my instinct, I trust my heart.
I am learning who I am.
I am: a learner, an achiever, a friend, a writer, able, motivated, loving, hopeful, wise, strong, grounded, emotional, careful, organized, efficient, reliable, kind, practical, and willing.
I am willing to give everything for my friends.
I am ready to risk my heart.
I am ready to continue growing.
I am ready to become a better me.
As a new year approaches us all, I hope that you each know what you want to do, who you want to impact, and how you want to grow.
Our progress continues to await us. Motivate, grow, love, and learn, because in the end, that is what our life is for.
Love,
Kelsey
I achieved many of these goals for myself over the past year. I grew in a way I could not have ever imagined - with my family, my friends, myself, my diligence and hard work. I strove to become a stronger individual, and I did. This year I made a new resolution - to grow in my faith. All of these dimensions have begun to add up over time, making me the confident person I have grown to love.
I hope this blog works out. We'll see.
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress.
- Charles Dickens
As I contemplate how to sum up this past year, I feel as though Dickens puts it best. Every single one of us has gone through a "succession of changes" even though we might not be able to pinpoint every one of them, those changes still happened.
This year I have learned many things. I have hurt numerous people. I have felt immense pain. I have been both ashamed and proud of myself. I have recognized my own harmony. I have felt ugly. I have felt beautiful. I have learned the power of words. I have learned the power of silence.
I learned how to grow up. I was faced with the challenge of being alone for the first time, not knowing what to expect. The beauty of it was, that I was not alone. We all met, we bonded, we lived, we loved, we lost, we learned, we grew. Each and every one of us. In big ways, in small ways, but, in some way, we did. We are not the same people, we are better.
Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.
- Golda Meir
I have learned to trust myself. I trust my instinct, I trust my heart.
I am learning who I am.
I am: a learner, an achiever, a friend, a writer, able, motivated, loving, hopeful, wise, strong, grounded, emotional, careful, organized, efficient, reliable, kind, practical, and willing.
I am willing to give everything for my friends.
I am ready to risk my heart.
I am ready to continue growing.
I am ready to become a better me.
As a new year approaches us all, I hope that you each know what you want to do, who you want to impact, and how you want to grow.
Our progress continues to await us. Motivate, grow, love, and learn, because in the end, that is what our life is for.
Love,
Kelsey
I achieved many of these goals for myself over the past year. I grew in a way I could not have ever imagined - with my family, my friends, myself, my diligence and hard work. I strove to become a stronger individual, and I did. This year I made a new resolution - to grow in my faith. All of these dimensions have begun to add up over time, making me the confident person I have grown to love.
I hope this blog works out. We'll see.
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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