This Year I'll...

Every new year comes with new {or re-newed} convictions and resolutions on how to make this year better than the last. To be honest, I've never been a "New Year's Resolution" kind of girl, but I'm feeling differently this year! The last decade {Feels strange to be old enough to be cognizant of this statement..} has been busy: starting and finishing both high school and college, getting my first job, moving to a new city, fighting unemployment for 4 months, and holding down two jobs to pay the bills. Busy, or difficult? Both. I'd say 2009 was my watershed year, the moment I truly realized what it meant to be an adult, living on your own, and making your way in the world. It's really easy to get bogged down by the work grind and money problems, so that's where 2010 comes in: convictions and resolutions!

1. Take control of my life.

Yes, I'm a Type A personality, but this resolution isn't about controlling everything in my life, just the things I'm unhappy about! I hate that I've become that person who feels sad for myself about things that I don't like in my life, yet doesn't make a true effort to change. Whether it's exercising, crafting, blogging, or reading, this is the year where I take control and become an active participant in living my life instead of standing by and feeling helpless!

2. Get a full time job, with benefits!

I tell you what: making a living on an hourly {or two} position is hard!! I feel like I really understand how hard it is for some people now, and I can sympathize. I've always been a bleeding heart type, but when you realize you're one missed payment away from becoming homeless, you can't help but understand that you had no idea what some people go through. I gave myself some breathing room to be happy about just having a job and to let the job market bounce back, but now I'm ready to get back in the job-hunting game and I'm going for the kill!

3. Be conscious of what I'm grateful for each day.

Do you remember my horrible attempt at this resolution a few months ago? Probably not because I was so bad at it!! Well I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to document it, but it's a resolution, so I'll have to stick to it! Trying to blog it everyday was a bit taxing, so I may just take pictures and write it down each day and do a wrap up each week of my top 3 or 4 things. Really and truly be prepared to see more this time!

4... Ok, so I think those three are plenty!

#1 is a pretty hefty and all-encompassing resolution for which I have a more detailed, personal list, but I don't think you want to see all of that. Considering I've never done this before, I'm satisfied with 3 solid resolutions!

So there you have it: My 2010 New Year Resolutions. Is it just me or do people seem to be buzzing with hopefulness for 2010, more so than most years? Perhaps it's because 2009 was so difficult for so many people, but whatever the reason, it does feel like change is in the air.

Do you feel it? What are your resolutions? The sky's the limit, so dream big!

{images via WeHeartIt}

Love Pots

Clearly I've slowed my roll with the Fashion Week Recaps -- it was very ambitious to think that I could keep up! I'll get around to it because I enjoy it, but it'll just be more spread out. As much as I love going through all of the shows, it's hard to justify when I know I should be job-hunting.
I love this picture above and saved it a long time ago because it just makes me smile, titled "Love Pots." I could use a little Love Pot love today! There was a snag with my job offer, so I'm back to square one for the time being... can't seem to get a break, huh? Not even with a measly sales job!! The month's already half way gone, so now it's crunch time again, dreading the countdown to the last day of each month, when bills are due. Ok, pity party time over!! Now back to work, finding work.

{Image via the BBC}

Life's a Song: Sing along

Sorry I disappeared this week! I've been having some connectivity issues and needed a few days to get my life back on track, so I took advantage of the little opportunity.

I have a really strong connection to music, maybe because I don't express myself very well and music always says what I can't. The past few days I've really become attached to these two songs, not so much because they say what I can't, but because of what they say to me.


Good Charlotte's "March On"



Joshua Radin's "What if You"

Welcome to the soundtrack of my life :)

{image via Le Fashion}

Happy Friday!

Another week has come and gone, which, for most of you means a much-deserved weekend of relaxation! I haven't exactly 'earned' a weekend seeing as I don't do much during the week, but I'm particularly looking forward to this weekend because I'm going home to visit family in Nashville! It's been two months since I've seen my family and much longer since I've actually been home. Oddly enough, I like distance driving because it gives me a chance to listen to newly-acquired music without the distraction of, well, life.

This trip I'll be taking in the musical talents of Kings of Leon, Maximo Park, Biffy Clyro, and Metric -- a eclectic group to say the least! Right now I'm just hoping for some decent driving weather since we've been having a rainy week, so *fingers crossed.*

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll see you Monday!
{image via FYSB}

Can you hear me now?

Sweet, sweet internet connection!

It's been a difficult 8 weeks without it, but I'm slowly getting used to it being at my disposal. The best thing {besides constant email access}? Returning to the blogging world, both reading and posting! I've definitely missed the flow of creativity from all of your blogs. It's too overwhelming to try to catch up on what I've missed, so I'm just starting anew.

Hopefully I'll be able to officially share some good news with you all soon, but nothing for now! :)

{image via Bliss}

Music to My Ears

Louisville definitely has a nice music scene, which is such a nice change from the country-filled towns whereI've spent the last 22 years of my life! There's so much underground indie, alternative, and rock that I'm constantly discovering new artists. I'm currently sitting in a coffeehouse listening to music from an artist on the verge of making her first cd, Rebecca Williams. I find that it's hard for me to dislike any live music, at least music by small-time artists {sometimes the radio stars leave much to be desired when performing live...}!

I might have a job AND internet/cable by the end of this week... so exciting!

I also am going to my first wedding of the summer on Saturday which should be a lot of fun. My previous boss is the groom and a co-worker the bride, so I'm looking forward to seeing all of my old collegues! It's also a reason to buy a new dress and jewelry... :) I love summer weddings, especially when they're at night!
{I can't remember where I got this image - sorry!}

23 Going on 65

I've been living in Louisville for 4 weeks now and still no job. This city's job market is nothing short of sluggish and saturated, and I'm just one of many victims, I'm sure. I've been in the hiring process with 3 different companies anywhere from 3-8+ weeks and no one seems to be in a hurry to add another payroll check to the company books. I've even resorted to looking for a crappy, summer, in-between job just to feel productive and help pay the bills, but that's proving to be just as difficult. Anyone know where the unemployment office is, because I just might need to cash in on those government checks! Goodness knows I'm trying...

My calendar is no longer a functional piece of art, but rather a constant reminder of how mind-numbingly bored I am. To top it all off, it's been a nightmare getting cable and internet in my apartment, so I don't even have my usual vices (blogging and Soap Net) to fill my time! I've rediscovered reading for fun, which has been a hard thing for me to relearn after 17 years of an academic dictatorship. I also have become slightly infatuated with watching Friends on DVD courtesy of my good friend S; I started with season 5 (why? I don't know.) and am now ready to start season 9. Oh, and movies. Lots and Lots of movies!! I'm actually quite tired of staring at my television.

Most of my friends have jobs, so I'm left to my own devices most hours of the day and many days of the week. I go and bum internet from the famous Heine Brothers at least every other day to keep up with the essentials and answer emails.

Now, the lack of formally schedules events has given me the opportunity to discover some interesting things about Louisville:

1. free Shakespeare in the Park performances of Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet
2. a fabulous selection of used music and book stores whose employees are always interested in chatting about said music and book discoveries
3. the many coffee shops of Bardstown Road that provide excellent people-watching and a comfy chair to sit in while reading a magazine
4. and the two great free publications: Velocity and Leo Weekly, both of which have ignited a determination to someday be able to complete their tricky crossword puzzles.

Honestly, as bored as I am, a small part of me is afraid I'm going to learn to enjoy the random ways I've found to spend my time a little too much. 24 hours of every day are at my disposal to sleep, wake, work out, shop, meet friends for meals and discover Louisville at my leisure... all that freedom is a little enticing! I need to find a job before my mind kicks into full-blown retirement mode and I start planning my day around feeding my cat and going to the bank to check my ever-depleting savings account!

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to my ELLE magazine and people-watching because in 30 minutes it's time to go home and feed my cat....{image via gosia janik}

Long time, no speak!

Well I found myself an apartment in Louisville, right in the heart of Bardstown, so I couldn't be happier! I moved in Saturday and am giving myself the week to unpack and get my life together. Also, I should find out about a promising job offer at the end of this week, so send some love my way for that YES I want to hear! I don't have internet or cable right now, so posts will continue to be minimal for a while longer... I can't wait to be able to explore my creative side again! These last two weeks have left me deprived of your blogs and the creative world in general due to constant business and chaos -- not good!

My day/week will continue to declutter the boxes that have exploded all over my apartment, with some friend-time and exploring my surroundings thrown in the mix... Oh it's so nice to be near friends again!!

{image via We Heart It}

Recovery

I'm recovering from the last 6 days in all sorts of ways, including, but not limited to, guitar sessions on summer nights, laughing {a lot}, Huddle House brunches, catching up on all of your blog posts, watching Harry Potter 4, saying goodbye to new friends, reliving the week through pictures, creating packing lists, etc, etc...

Today, I am officially unemployed and tomorrow{s} brings job- and apartment-hunting galore!

This past week was wonderful and exhausting and sad and perfect and I'm so happy I was able to end my time at Centre College {for the second time..} with Caretta and a fun night with friends.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get back to my recovery :)

{Image via Max Wanger}

Into the Wild

Well, lovelies, I'm off to West Virginia where I'll be disconnected from the digital world for 5 whole days! I hope everyone has some fun stories for when I get back!

{image via Church and State}

Hiatus

I'm going to be taking a blogging hiatus for a few weeks because it's do or die time for finding a job and a place to live in Louisville! All this searching, interviewing, and packing barely leaves me time to enjoy of your blogs!

Next week I'll be chaperoning the First Year Service Trip to Caretta, WV where we'll be fixing up homes in the Appalachian Mountains. When we come back, it'll be time to pack up and move out (hopefully!).

So I hope you all have a great 3 or 4 weeks and I look forward to having my time back as my own soon!! :)

{image via Anna Wolf}

Sisterly Love

I spent the weekend in TN helping out with the chaos that is Junior Prom for my younger sister, Chelsea. For all the drama and monsoon coming down upon us, everything ended up working out just fine and she looked beautiful! I can't believe she looks so grown up... doesn't she look great in red?

{Chelsea and her date Anthony; With her best friend Grace}

Pearls {of Wisdom?}

1. My interview went very well yesterday! {Try not to get your hopes too high, and don't quit your search prematurely}
2. I have another interview tomorrow! {It's always good to have more than one option... eggs in one basket thing...}

3. Don't hold a campus event celebrating the statue that is central to a student tradition of streaking without expecting 15+ people to actually streak during the ceremony. {too funny.. all caught on tape!}

4. We had our end-of-the-year banquet last night for the Bonner Program and it was wonderful. We'll be losing a great class of seniors and it's sad to see them go. Last night got to me more than I anticipated -- it feels like I'm graduating all over again! The first year students, whom I work with mostly, gave me this necklace as a Thank You, and I love it!! I will miss them all :) {Sometimes your work is recognized and it makes all the times you've grumbled about your efforts melt away.}
5. Gloomy weather + Already tired You = Not so fun start to the day
{Image one, two, three, four, five}

Wish Me Luck!

I'm off to my interview and this is the job I really want! Wish me luck!

{via flickr}

Monday, Monday

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday! We had perfect weather for the weekend and the family visit was great. I cooked ravioli with roasted butternut squash and sage brown-butter sauce for dinner and it was so yummy and then made fresh herb omelets for Sunday breakfast. Mom brought up a some pink peonies from her garden and they make my living room smell wonderful :)

{a little photoshop fun...}

Mondays are usually pretty hectic at work, trying to get back on track from Friday and there are always meetings to gear up for the week ahead. If I were wearing this dress {one of the Carmen Marc Valvo dresses being sold at Rue La La today}, I would be the perfect accessory to our sunny day and Monday would be so much less stressful!

Happy Friday!

Well, friends, despite the monsoon outside of my window, today has been a good day!It started off with sunshine and enough warmth to wear a dress, my necklace arrived {a-mazing in person}, and I got not one but two interviews lined up! To bring you up to speed: I had plans of moving to Seattle when my job ends this month, but I can't afford to break the bank for a cross-country relocation at the moment, so I'm going to spend the next couple of years in Louisville, KY with my friends. I've been actively searching for a job {albeit they were all in Seattle, which is a much tougher market and much farther away} for about 6 months now, and it's a rough world I tell you! It's nice to finally have a couple of things go my way, so *fingers crossed* that I can hook a job within the next month or so and find a place to live!
My family is visiting this weekend for Mother's Day and my choir concert, so it's going to be busy in the best way! What are you doing this weekend? I'm kicking mine off with a little house-cleaning and Gone In 60 Seconds... here's to fast cleaning and fast cars! Happy weekend!

{image 1 - via Bliss? or English Muse?, image 2 - via sfgirlbybay}

The Great Ocean Walk

Doesn't this make you want to know more?

"Ten feral koalas.

Nine(ty) + kilometers.

Eight blisters.

Seven falls.

Six near-enough to injury or death experiences.

Five days, five nights.

Four national cultures.

Three men.

Two-man tent.

One mis-step after another."

Mark graduated Centre College a couple years ahead of me and has been in Australia on a Rotary Scholarship studying sociology at a local university. He's as fantastic of a person as he is a writer, and I wish I had gotten to know him better. Find out the rest of the story here!

3/50 Project

I can commit to this -- Can you??{3/50 Project found via Black Eiffel}

Keep all hands and feet inside the trampoline

How cool is this?
I bet my parents would have considered allowing an in-ground trampoline... so much safer!

{Found via Shootfactory}

I Would Like To...

On a bleak day, like today, I would wear a flower in my hair...Or a red dress...To remind everyone that color still exists in the world.

{image links 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}