The Holidays

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Ryan and his dad joined my family for dinner although Judy, Greg and Emma were not there so we were an unusually small party. I think this may have been the first Thanksgiving without a kids table that I can remember. I almost miss sitting at the kids table.

Work has been keeping me busy and away from posting but I did take off a week for Thanksgiving and visited Rachel in PA! I saw her law school, her apt, her parents house and I was shown DC by a native! We had a great time shopping, watching Princess Diaries and twisting pretzels. I was sad to leave but it turned out that on the last day I was in PA the Transporter 3 was released so we saw it before I jumped on a plane back to KC.

My parents came for Thanksgiving but then promptly jumped on a plane for Peru and the Galapagos. They are at Manchu Piccu right now. I am very jealous! It sounds beautiful. They are with a tour agency that lets you do all sorts of cool activities like wind surfing. That should be enjoyed by twenty-year-olds at the peak of their life, not senior citizens! Totally unfair. Retirement should be for the young and then at 40 you start working again till you die.

I have been playing christmas music and decorating the christmas tree since thanksgiving. All my presents and purchased and wrapped and waiting to be given. I still have to make my xmas cookies. But that will wait until just before christmas, I will have to reserve a whole weekend for all the cookies I have to make this year. It seems I have more people in my life than ever, which is a wonderful feeling.

Thank You!

I just want to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to my fellow americans for giving me, my generation, and future generations the hope that this country can change. It is through the efforts of people like my parents, who donanated, volunteered and supported the Obama/Biden campaign that our country will become great again. I cannot express the gratitude that I feel for them and other's like them. Tonight I finally feel like a true patriot for the first time in my life, I love my country. I didn't know I would ever be able to say that but I do. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the United States and I can't wait to be a part of it! Congratulations Obama and Biden! Congratulations America!

Clay

This weekend Ryan and I went to see Clay at the Rep. This was one of the most original and creative musicals/plays I have seen in a long time. It is the story of an inner city white kid who after being forgotten/ignored by his parents and seduced by an older woman, turns to hip hop and rap to tell his story.

It is a one many play and Matt Sax wrote the play, the music and performs it all. He does a fabulous job of playing the 5 or 6 characters in the story and uses a series of subtle techniques to bring each character out.

Yesterday was the last performance in KC as the take the show to New York, where it will open in a couple of weeks. If you know anyone in New York tell them get some tickets. This is a must see!

Tough Day

I have about 5 minutes before I have to go to training session but I wanted to share a thought. Why is the grass always greener somewhere else? I am booking an author for my library and recently found out that he is also visiting my old stomping grounds at the APL before he comes to KC. It made me miss my days there terribly. It seems like it was so simple, not as much red tape as there is in this large system (that isn't even all that big). I feel like I am being suffocated by committees and asking permission for things that I would have just gone out and done at the APL. But thinking back, the APL was also not a perfect place to work either. It had a whole different set of problems. I wish there was a perfect employer where I could feel perfectly at ease. I suppose that those don't exhist but still...I miss simpler days. I am saddened about that but I was also really happy to realize that even a small town library like APL can do the same things that we do in KC! Go Ames!

New Hair Cut

Look ma! Awesome hair! After my stressful weekend in DSM I decided it was time to pamper myself and I went and cut three inches off my already sholder length hair and let my stylist go crazy with the dye! I love her by the way, she does a great job! If you are ever in the KC area get your hair cut by Alison at Chop Tops in Merriam! She does wonders...I think you would agree.

Time for some Photography

I am thinking it is time for me to take a photography class. I need a hobby that isn't work! Right now at work we are working on putting together a multimedia lab for teens and staff would need to take classes on the software and equiptment...so maybe I could take a class for free?

In other hobby news I am almost done with the bridesmaid dress. It has taken months of work and fitting and procrastinating. But I am nearly there.

I <3 Olympics

YAAAA for the Olympics! This is possibly one of my favorite times of the year. It is amazing to see humans performing at the height of their physical prowess. It makes me want to devote myself to the perfection of a single movement...but I am too lazy!

It is really cool that the Olympics are in Beijing this year. A city I have been too! I am enjoying seeing scenes of places I have been to before with my good friend Amber Redding in 8th grade. I am starting to get that lightness of foot that means its time for a trip! I have scheduled a trip to go visit Rachel over her Thanksgiving break. I can't wait. Pennsylvenia is a new state for me and I plan to explore it all (or at least Rachel's corner).

I find myself very satisfied today. I had a rough and tumble day at work, everything went fast. But I got enough done to call it a pretty productive day. After work was a quick trip to the doc for a check up and a clean bill of health and some new medication tips that promises to improve my life! Then it was to dollar sushi night! 3.99 rolls at Friends Sushi on 39th street. Then it was a happy and full Kate that headed home in her newly cleaned car into her newly cleaned apt. I feel very happy about where I am right now. I hope this feeling lasts. And now I am going to use my new iGoogle Olympics widget to decide what events to watch next!

I can't keep this up

Today has been a tough day at work. I have been working on several large projects lately and they are starting to drive me nuts! I am looking forward to my weekend break...which I get to spend sewing a bridesmaid dress! I don't understand how people do it!

I have a very brave coworker who has a six year old son, works a full time job at the library, volunteers at the hospital and has just signed up to teach a class at a local high school! Where does she find the time!? I can't seem to keep my life on track. I feel like I get into a productive groove and I am going good and it only takes one small thing to throw me off; a trip, a guest, an extra long week or extra short weekend.

I think I have put a little bit of a finger on it, I am a person of habbit living with a spontanious boyfriend! I love him for it, don't get me wrong, but he throws me off kilter. Right now I need all the kilter I can get!! Hopefully once fall and winter set in he won't be nagging me to get out of the house and go on trips as often (we spent about one weekend a month in KC this summer). I am looking forward to that.

On a lighter note the Olympics are almost here! I love watching the olympics and fully intend on sewing to some swiming meets! Ah if only I could do the things they do...but I don't want to train that much! Well I am done with my little whine-fest and hopefully I will come up with an idea to throw myself into that doesn't cost any money or time! Wish me luck!

My Life So Far

I know it has been way to long since I posted, and that is because I am a horrible person! Time has just been flying by without me being able to keep track of anything.

Ryan and I traveled to Magnet, NE to visit his Aunt Pam for the Fourth of July. The town was tiny, about 80 people but Ryan loves it because they don't care if you set off M80s in your driveway! It was a very exciting 4th...but we came home with ten fingers and ten toes each so I am considering that a victory.

Last night we went to a premier of American Teen, a documentary that is comparing itself to Breakfast Club (check out the poster!). It was a pretty entertaining night of reliving embarrassing high school experiences (at least no one ever broke up with me by text!)

The rest of this week is WORK, and lots of it, then Cirque du Soleil tomorrow and a work filled weekend, hopefully with a bit of Batman! New resolution, do better at blogging!

June Update

Sorry it has been so long since I have updated. I have been kept on my toes at work and at home. There also isn't a pic to go with this post, because I am too freaking busy to take pictures! Lets see what happened in the last couple of weeks. Lori had her bachelorette in DesMoines which was awesome. I went to Ryan's family reunion which was interesting. And my old apartment is under water! Thank god for my job otherwise I would still be living there. Luckily no one I know has had anything damaged or lost in the flood water although a few of them are a little displaced.

Otherwise life is going well but busy! Ryan and I are going canoing next weekend and then heading to his aunt's in Nebraska for 4th of July. Things are busy and I will try to update later with some more fun news!

All Hell Breaks Loose

Run for your life! Kansas City, that town of greedy and debauchery is falling! This one is going to be a short post because I am at work and super busy but I loved this picture of Kansas City. The fire was on Tuesday night from a lightning strike on a gas holding tanks near the railroad. It burned for about 24 hours! Ryan and I could see it from the living room windows and we had fun watching it on TV and in real life at the same time. It was crazy. So far we have survived all the storms that have been hitting the city, it is an advantage to live in a super old brick building with giant wooden beams! Tonight is First Friday and Ryan and I are going to go see my Beautiful and Talented Aunt Mary perform with her African Drumming group. Tomorrow it is off to DSM for Lori's bachelorette. Wish me luck!

The Pool House Invades KC

Kansas City was decimated this weekend by a group of attractive and thirsty girls from around the country! You guessed it...Pool House Reunion 2008!

The usual suspects were all there in their finest. Annie Rossi flew from California to attend the star studded event in her new ultra hot bod! Rachel Allen took time from her busy law student schedule to take in the sights (and beers) of KC. Laura Berger came in her limo from Iowa to reunite with her long lost friends. And the illustrious Katie Korn was also in attendance, cutting her tour of Texas short to join the group in Missouri.

"When these girls get together it is one gala of an event!" said innocent bystander Kate Pickett. The group invaded on Thursday night (or in Annie's case early Friday morning) and stayed at the residence of Kate Pickett and Ryan McNair, one of Kansas City's most beloved couples. As is tradition with all Pool House Reunion's Ryan was sent on an all expenses paid (by himself) trip to Minnesota to leave the girls time to giggle and watch Princess Diaries.

Friday we caught the girls getting their hair cut at Chop Tops, one of Kansas City's most unique salons. That afternoon the girls were sighted at the Boulevard Brewery tour enjoying some original brews. Apparently that wasn't enough beer for the group when the went to dinner at the River Market brewery enjoying more local tastes.

Saturday the girls helped the lagging economy by visiting the local shopping centers, Oak Park Mall and the Plaza before getting glitzed up for an appearance at Jack Stack BBQ Restaurant. The group was caught up in a fairly embarrassing incident at JP Wine Bar later that night but their publicists refuse to comment.

Sunday the group enjoyed the red pandas and sea otters at the Kansas City Zoo. The girls left, slightly pinker than they arrived, to enjoy snacks and drinks at another KC eatery before hunkering down for the night with BBQ and beer.

Kansas City was deemed safe again for average citizens when the group departed early Monday morning. Scattering to the winds until next year's reunion...watch out Baltimore!

24 and loving it!

I can't believe that I am 24 already! I suppose it should come as no surprise to me but it kinda snuck up. I visited Iowa City to celebrate the big 2-4 with my buddies from JVA while Ryan went to a sky diving boogie in Brooklyn.

This weekend has helped me, once again, to realize how lucky I am! I have a pretty great life! Great friends, a great boyfriend, a great job, an awesome apartment, a supportive family and financial security that some people don't get a chance to enjoy. I am very grateful for everything that life has given me and I hope that someday I can help people with my success.

OK. I am done with the mushy existential crap. On to what I got! Michelle and Mel gave me an awesome case of the crabs! Actually I got a fun pack from them with a super cute purse, crab pate and cup (which I enjoyed eating my dinner on this week), twizzlers (I blame all my weight gain on them) and a tennis type game to play outside. My grandmother and aunt and uncle gave me money which I promptly spent on decking out my new phone with jazzy stuff to make it into an mp3 player. My parents gave me an awesome piece of art and are going to pay to have it framed (once that is done i will put up a pic). And my sweet Ryan gave me a headlamp, some camping stuff, a date with a personal trainer and a facial at a local spa. All in all a pretty good haul for 24.

Well I am going to go love my wonderful life a little bit more by watching Juno (which was also purchased by my grandmother and relatives). Don't expect any news for a while. The Pool House Reunion is in less than a week and I totally plan on falling off the face of the planet in to my girlfriends arms to shop and laugh and once again, love my life!

Back to the Future of the Past

Well Ryan and I celebrated another awesome first friday this weekend. We had a great time running around crossroads. There was a guy who had outfitted his dilorian just like Back to the Future! It was awesome. I took a bunch of pictures so look for a great pic from me and Ryan for x-mas!

Meanwhile I am experiencing financial fustratingness. I am trying to save money for the pool house reunion in just a few weeks. But now matter how hard I try this seems to be amazingly hard to do! I can't figure it out! I finally have a job but I can't seem to pay the bills! How is that possible!? I will keep trying and hope it all works out in the end.

But I am still looking forward to the Pool House Reunion in just a couple of weeks! Hopefully we can have an awesome weekend without spending too much money. I can't wait for all the girls to be here so we can party! I am headed to IC in a week to celebrate my 24th b-day with some buddies. Ryan is heading up with me to go skydiving in Brooklyn and then we are driving back on Sunday in time for mother's day dinner at Pank's! I love mother's day and this year it will fall on my bday. Hopefully, bday will provide some financial assistance or at least something fun and shiny to distract my from my banking woes!

Ooo! I almost forot. Ryan and I went to go see Iron Man yesterday. It was awesome! I won't ruin it for anyone but I really loved it! I want to go again!

Wedding Bells

As I promised last time...Lori's getting married! Ha! I bet you thought it was me, well you're wrong. I will try to make this quick as I am on break from work and have to go back on desk in 10 min. Lori and Tom got engaged a couple of weeks ago and are getting married in Aug/Sept in Ankeny. Everyone is excited, including Jemma. I went dress shopping with Jemma and Lori in Ankeny. Jemma is getting to be quite the photographer. Does it amaze anyone else that a 3 year old knows how to work a digital camera most 50 year-olds don't get?

Ryan and I dropped by Ankeny on our way to the Freeman Spring Concert just a few weeks ago in Ames! It was another great year at the concert. About 2,000 people showed up for Amber Pacific, the headliner from Seattle. No one who they were but we all enjoyed the show. It was a long night but well worth the effort. I did miss several people who weren't at the concert this year because they have more of a life than Ryan and I. Next year I think we might hang back...unless they finally get Jason Mraz. Then you know I want to be his band host!

I wish I had a picture to post. Sadly, Enrique my latin laptop has be experiencing viruses lately. Ryan is supposed to be at home right now, diligently saving Enrique's life, but we all know that he isn't. Hopefully these matters will be cleared up soon and I can get the pics of Lori's wedding dress of there before she kills me! I will share a sneak peak when I can! Until then, it is time to head back to my noble duty of staffing the youth desk while a small chinese girl talks to me in a language I can't understand. Sounds confusing and it is!

Naked Sushi!

Yes I have actually eaten sushi off a naked woman! Doesn't that make me cool? Actually I took this pictures at First Friday in April but it has taken me a while to get it up. First Friday is when all the art galleries in KC open their doors and give you free food and wine in the hopes that you will buy their overpriced art! We didn't buy any art but we did gladly eat their food and drink their wine while looking at art an acting pretentious!

After that I went to KLA (Kansas Library Association) conference in Wichita. There wasn't a lot to do there because our library is sooo far ahead of the curve of most Kansas libraries. But I got some good networking in.

This last weekend Ryan and I visited Ames again for the Freeman Spring concert, with Amber Pacific as the headline band. It was a good visit but a little depressing. Everyone we know is getting ready to leave Ames and by this time next year we won't really have anyone to visit. Which is guess is the way it is supposed to work in a college town right?

I stopped by my old house on my way to the concert and it was horrible! The people who live there have changed a lot and I don't feel like they are taking care of it very well. This is why you aren't supposed to go back! Never again will I look at but I will treasure my memories there of my first home!

Well thats about it for now! I will attempt to foreshadow my next post with.."Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue..."

My Attempt at Emo

Whew! My first blog entry ever! The pressure is on to make it a good one. For one reason or another I have always avoided starting a blog, mostly because I know that I am not the type of person who could consistently update it, but its time to give it a try. However, to avoid embarrassment I will not share this with anyone until I have proved to myself that I can update it reasonably often.

I am afraid for my well-being as I fall into a world that I once considered reserved for emos and people without friends. My friend Dan showed me the light with his insightful and witty blog Chewing the Fat. Now I am determined to create a successful blog for friends and family to keep up to date on what is going on in my world, as well as give me an opportunity to gush and rant.

However, I would like to ask for an intervention should I begin to use this blog as a way to gossip or complain. Also, please intervene if I start to wear dark eyeliner and push my hair in front of my eyes. Its not a good time to be an emo...