stupid texting

I kind of hate texting.

People get to say things they wouldn't say in real life.

You don't hear the tone of voice or see facial expressions.

A conversation that would take 2 minutes actually takes 20.

I was wondering in my head if I could cut texting out of my life for awhile like I did facebook.

Yet I like texting and see it's limited value, and somehow I just added an unlimited texting plan instead of deleting the plan altogether.

But at least I won't have any more of those overage charges. Gross.

real pine

It is my second real Christmas tree.

I love it. Although my goal is to get it out of my house this year before the garbage men stop taking them. That and the one that's behind our garage because we didn't last year.

Anyway, it needed a star so I sewed it one out of felt. I love no classes/homework.

school server

At SSA you can type in some word and send an email to the entire student body.

It is the stupidest decision ever.

Beside, maybe, our (high) tuition expense.

Anyway, you have a ton of social work students excited about their topic of choice that email you all the time.

Then you also have some of the brightest students emailing you questions that they could really find their own answers to. But don't worry, they say "sorry to crowd your inboxes... BUT"

Don't "BUT" me. If you are really sorry, don't do it.

We live in an age of google. Don't email me and everyone else about how to find a medicaid number or doctors that take medicaid.

These emails are a sore topic. Be really careful about if you want to talk to me about this. Because you will most certainly get a very angry earful.

boys, you can skip this.

For seven dollars a (little) bottle, Midol should work better.

espresso martini and more

I don't really care for drinking. It makes me feel sleepy. But I like being out with friends and trying new things. I really love coffee. Therefore I really love coffee and alcohol together. Which does not make me sleepy.

I found these recipes on the Starbucks website. And I thought I couldn't love them more....

http://www.starbucks.com/flash/grocery/liqueur/StarbucksLiqueurRecipes.pdf

this campus

I love this campus.

I'm here for my last final of my last autumn quarter.

I'm sad I've been stuck in SSA's building.

I think it is the only ugly one on our campus.

So today I ventured out.

And got lost on the way to Harper Library. Walked through this cool old building. Asked for directions.

I found it. (After some good directions. I mean, the stairs just keep going up!)

And now I can't study because I am distracted by my scenery.

And I found some fellow SSA people/friends.

They are actually studying.

So far I've gotten out my notes. Talked to people online about how cool this library is. And took these pictures.

that little bird on the lion king

"Nobody knows the troubles I've seen." Until now. Since I'm about to blog about them.

Car: Getting on the highway yesterday I heard some loud cracks. I thought maybe some big ice chucks were flying off someone's car or something. Until about 5 minutes later I realize that my windshield is cracking. (Which is ironic since I noted to myself about two days ago that it has almost been a year since someone broke the side window of my car.) Not knowing much, apparently, I was afraid my window was going to cave in on me. The lady that made my appointment for window-fixing today (which didn't show up!) told me that isn't possible. So that is exciting, at least.

School: One more test and I'm done with autumn quarter. Yet I can not get myself to study for it.

Keeping my phone by me: I've had to keep my phone near me for when the window-fixing guy calls (which he hasn't). I've realized that I carry it around with me until I get distracted by something else and then have to backtrack to where I got distracted and find my phone. This is a normal occurance and one reason why I don't always answer the phone when people call. This is also why Nathan at Camp Manitoqua bought these highly fashionable and B.A. looking walkie talkie arm bands (see picture below) when I was a supervisor at camp. I was always leaving my walkie places and no one could contact me.

That is a band-aid under my eye. Not because I needed it. Not sure why. Maybe because it looks freaking cool. Am I right? Of course I am. I always am.

i'm struggling

It's true. And it's a good struggle, I think, as most of them are.

Here is some of it. Not all of it. Because I don't like to share, always.

I'm beginning to hate a lot of "Christian" terms. For one, they are exclusive, and two, some don't have a lot of depth in meaning.

A list.

*Unbeliever: They believe something. Name it. Atheist, agnostic, Muslim. "Unbeliever" as a term is a lie and it isn't useful.

*Quiet time: Maybe I need to experience God in every moment of my day and not at the time set in the beginning of it.

*If you feel led: You can use it as a cop out. Either to shirk responsibility or to not call responsibility out of other people.

*God is calling me to...: I don't doubt that the HS speaks to people differently, but I don't ever think it is in italics.


I'm in a bad mood so I should probably stop here but if anyone is free for a conversation that involves me being crabby about lazy Christianity (myself included).. let me know.

musica

Recently I bought Adele: Live from Soho and Sara Bareilles: Live session EP. I've not regretted it for any of the (a lot of) minutes I've played it.

self diagnoses

So I'm in a class about diagnosing mental disorders in children and adolescents.

I end up diagnosing myself with things.

Today was bipolar.

But then I decided that I probably have something else.. something I have to come up with.

So, here is a diagnosis (that doesn't really exist) that I came up with:

Crabbiness- with school onset.

Onset is around the seventh week of school and lasts until the last final is turned in with a possible stretch into the first days of your winter break. Longer symptoms are silly because you have to enjoy the break before the next term starts! Symptoms include all of the following:

Not enough sleep

Lots of work to do

A sense that you will not get them done (although you realize that this is how you have always felt and still managed to accomplish these things eventually)

Not enough dance parties

Eating a lot of things that are microwaveable

Being rather blunt

Thinking mean (but often funny) things about people

Lack of patience

Not enough ice cream in the diet (but a constant longing for some)

sesame street

I really really love Sesame Street.

I just went to http://www.google.com/ simply to look at what they had going on with Sesame Street today. Yesterday it was the count and all the letters in google were numbers. Someone is very creative.

Here are some other blogs about it, apparently. Here. and here. and here. and here. (That's a lot of blogs about Sesame Street for a 26 year old. Although for some of them I was 25.. so lay off.)

pressing buttons

Sometimes when I don't have any emails I'll just keep pressing inbox, hoping that there is some mistake and that it will be fixed through pressing inbox.

Repeatedly.

quotes from the day

"I'm all teary. That was perfect timing." - me to a friend after the most amazing thank you note (she doesn't read this blog, so that really was just amazing timing)

"AH! MASHED POTATOES! I love you." -me (out-loud) to the mashed potatoes after I realized there are a bunch in our fridge

"Somehow we got shorted cups so I was wondering if you'd pick some up from another store." -my manager calling me at 5:30am when I wasn't scheduled to work until 6:30am after he realized he didn't order the cups we needed

"CRUNCH BARS!" -me when I saw a bag of candy a regular left for us. I haven't repeated this after each of the four I ate, though. Just the first time.

"I know, I know." -A consoling regular that was watching my facial expressions during work today.

"I can splurge on cheddar pub cheese. My classes are hard." - me (in my head) at Trader Joe's

"You owe me $6.12" -Co-worker on register to customer

"You owe me $20." -me... nowhere near a register to same customer

Also: Check out my note from Lisa and Mark on my last post. They were foster parents and now are adoptive parents to some of those kids (or in the process??). I love them and miss them and look up to them. And they raised a couple of my favorite people.

(I got really confused when I read the post was from "mom and dad" and then signed "lisa" but I figured it out!!)

common courtesy

I don't think it's fair when person "c" is debating (especially about what person "c" views as something closed minded) to use the terms "naive, stupid, and uneducated" repeatedly during the conversation to person "d".

Those are not terms that open people up for discussion. The conversation started out with me saying I was "busy and overwhelmed" and mentioning how depressing my classes are. Which also could have been taken into consideration during our one hour "debate."

Maybe he needs some social work classes. And maybe I should read a fun book today (The new Diary of a Wimpy Kid is out!).

Ice cream? A hug? Anyone?

biswis85

I know some people that know some of these people.

And I'm pretty impressed.

technology

Today I sat next to a Muslim woman on the bus that was using her hijab (head covering) to hold her cell phone to her ear. I couldn't hear what she was saying because I had my ipod in my ears. People, for the most part, at least turn their cell phones on vibrate during class. Which is still distracting, by the way.

I'm a little fed up with the technology ridden culture.

Do you find it ironic that I am blogging about it?

haven't met you yet

I know that it defeats the words of the song, but I think I should have been dancing with him in this video. I mean, compare the outfit/shoes.

I thought maybe I was over Michael Buble but I take it back.

baby boy brayden

Remember this post?

Well, she did have a boy. But she had it on the 9th. I hope it didn't take her the entire time between my "In labor!" text and the name/sex/weight text.

Jody, you're due in a couple days, with twin girls. Good luck and congratulations!

Lisa, you already had yours. Hope you noticed. Remember to sleep when the baby sleeps.

internship comparison

My first day last year: Came home and started bawling.

My first day this year: Talked really fast about everything and I am already excited for Wednesday.

Also.

First two minutes- ran into the guy that saved me from dying during last year's internship. He now works at my internship place.

First 15 minutes- ran into a friend from Camp Manitoqua who now works for this place as well (in the Chicago branch, unfortunately... but still!)

transitioning back to school

Does watching Extreme Home Makeover count as doing my homework for SSA?

flower toms

The TOMS with the flower accessory (pieces of felt with a hole in the center that can be put on a button or taken off) are my design. There is also now a smaller button on the left shoe that will hold a smaller mirror image of the right shoe. I only have the two flowers now, but I planned some more shoe accessories during class today. During a break, of course... probably..... not.

I just needed to clarify because I'm not holding them in the picture.

birthday report

September 28, 2009 was a great day. Maybe, for the world, not as great as September 28,1983... but for me it was one of the best.

I've not blogged about it yet because I know I can't do it justice.

Everyone was so thoughtful. Calls, texts, emails (and I'm not even on facebook, so everyone had to remember on their own!) Visited Starbucks and my friends made a big deal. Making coffee almond bark with a roommate. People traveled on a week night and came to my party. All of my gifts were absorbed in thought even though I shouldn't have had any . TOMS shoes. A Birthday scroll. Birthday cards. Blanket for hammock talks outside even when it's cold. Donation to Royal Family Kids Camp in my name. Itunes. A letter written inside a book about the New Kids On The Block with money for peanut m & m's. Cheesecake. More TOMS, decorated by a true artist (I don't actually have those yet, I know they are coming). Birthday week surprises. People buying TOMS to decorate at my party and a TOMS shirt (all pictured above, minus Ally who expedited her shoes to get them on time and then got sick. Also there is another pair of TOMS shoes missing from the picture that were also purchased for the party. In other words, SEVEN kids in Africa have shoes now.)..... I wouldn't normally list everything like this because I didn't want or expect gifts but I wrote them out because it really meant a lot to me. I think people love me. I sure love them...

Also:

Amie, you know how your parents are your GPS? -Krista

Yes.- Amie (who always calls her parents when we need to get somewhere we aren't and don't know how).

Well, my parents bought me a GPS.-Krista

COOL!-Amie

They even drove it out here and treated me to a meal out.

I am beyond blessed.

f.l.a.g.

I think the fact that Amie and I just took self defense class gives whole new meaning to this picture.

Don't mess.

my classes this trimester

I got all the ones I wanted.

Diagnosing Mental Disorders in Children/Adolescents

Clinical Treatment of Abusive Family Systems

Seminar in Violence Prevention

Now some Taylor Swift videos. Then some free reading. Before I can't ever again.

registering for classes

Happens in about 15 minutes.

But here I am... up.. dressed... cup of coffee. Had a dream about it last night.

Site is up waiting for 9:00 so I can register for my classes.

Apparently I am excited for this event because I was dancing around the kitchen. I hadn't drank my coffee yet so you can't blame it on that.

On the other hand I feel sad. I also feel the need to write everyone a letter that says "I am sorry that I will again be stressed and unable to hang out for the next 10 weeks, beginning September 29th. Thank you for being my friend this summer."

Goodbye free time. I loved you.

Hello, school. Please teach me useful things. Like how to pass my licensure test this summer.

pregnancy

I went to a baby shower for my friend Amy today.

You know those ladies in the bathroom at the fairs that give you mints and gum and have a dish for some of your cash? One of those ladies told Amy: "It's a boy and it will be born on the 13th, just so you know."

So I decided it'd be funny to say that to pregnant people from now on. (Which is really great since I will be working with pregnant people this year for my internship). Then we thought it would be REALLY funny to say it to people who weren't pregnant.

"Ashlee, you're little girl is going to be out a little late, on July 3rd. You knew you were pregnant, right?" (No, really. Congratulations. Sorry if you really didn't know. Love you!)

my toms party

I am having a TOMS "style your sole" party for my birthday.

I'm really excited about it.

Today I received a DVD in the mail, along with bumper stickers and some card thingys.

It made me more excited.

I wanted to start decorating my TOMS the other day but I'm going to try really hard to wait and do it with everyone on the 28th.

You can come, if you want.

They were on Good Morning America. I learned that his name is Blake, and that TOMS stands for: a better tomorrow.

no cubs song

I guess I had to see at least one of their losing games this season. They won on Monday and Tuesday, when I wasn't there, but they lost to the Brewers on Wednesday.. the night I was sitting next to a Brewers fan. Come on, guys!!

I cheered them on to the very end. Apparently it didn't help. Ah, well. My hot dog and nachos were delicious, the company was fun, and the Cubs are still the best.

she's the man

Followed by a little She's the Man therapy. Genius suggestion, Lydia.

Now time to get ready for the Cubs vs. Brewer's game tonight with some SSA friends.

I'm getting ready to sing my favorite song again.

seven pounds

I just watched the movie Seven Pounds with Will Smith.

My emotions are attacking me.

hp

I just want everyone to know that the thrift store keeps their Harry Potter books locked in the glass case near the registers.

So if you haven't read them, you should. Highly valuable material.

brother bear

I am extremely happy for and proud of my brother. He went to Canada and he shot a bear. I got scared of being attacked by a bear just by listening to his hunting story. I can't imagine watching bears so close to me, carrying his (150 lb) dead bear or a hunting partner's (490 lb) dead bear out of the woods after shooting it, waiting for dark, and tracking it.

He also got to go fishing. Which means that he got to a. be on the lake b. enjoy the surrounding nature c. fish and d. eat the fish.

After talking with him I actually looked for gun safety courses in my area. I mean, I did promise my dad after all.

Lydia is the only one thus far who has really appreciated the fact that my brother shot a bear. Everyone else thinks it is cruel. Oh city folk. Maybe after they taste some bear sticks they will change their mind. I know I am excited to try! He has 40 lbs of meat from a 150 lb bear. He better save me some..

The picture is obviously not from his trip.

more philosophy

I met a friend (and fellow survivor of the WAYS internship experience aka Bitchritia*) from school for some coffee. It was really good to see her again. We originally met to go over our schedules for our (last!) three trimesters of grad school but we ended up doing a lot of talking instead.

Then I introduced her to Plato's.

Plato's is not good for my wallet. Although, I bought my wallet at Plato's so techinically, it IS good for my wallet.

*Bitchritia's name is actually Patricia and she made our internship quite the "experience**."

**Experience is used here in the way that culture often uses it to avoid horrifying details of a particularly nasty event.

things that happened today

I had a hard time getting up.

I went to church and got seated by one of my regulars.

We read this call and response:

Leader: Valued without distinction and called without favor;

People: We gather in the love of God.

Leader: Invited to places of deep change and entrusted with lives of grace;

People: We gather in the compassion of Christ.

Leader: Encouraged to be authentic and inspired to make a difference;

People: We gather in the power of the Spirit.

All: Let us worship God!

My roommates and I peeped on a wedding at the church across from our house.

I signed up for self defense class.

I read some of a really good book called Abba's Child. It's like free therapy or something. I like it.

I took a 10 minute nap on our couch.

I went to work.

My old manager came in that we miss.

An old co-worker came in that we miss. She always deep cleans everything and now she is working at a different store that is dirty. Ew.

My brother called and pretended to be a Canadian Mountie who found a wallet and phone next to a malled carcass (he's been bear hunting in Canada). I'm supposed to call the mountie back on my brother's phone.

the army

This is our friend.

The picture is of him at the piano bar the other night. He made a boat out of the request form and floated it in Casey's sour apple martini.

At our Christmas party he decorated a silver ornament by coloring the bottom half red. That made it look like a fishing bobber. Until now I was keeping it a secret, but here it is: it was my favorite.

He's been called back to Afghanistan, where he has already been. So he's fighting it. I hope he wins. Help the fight please.

cubs vs. astros, w!

I went to the Cubs vs. Astros game.

We won.

Which means that we got to sing the SONG! About a million times. I love singing that song a million times..

We were really high up in the bleachers, but it was maybe my favorite spot because before the sun went down, you could see the lake. Before and after the sun went down, you could also see the city. And we could also see the field, of course.

Anyway, I have great friends. It was fun. You should check out the pictures.

rhinoceros

My friend Ed and I went to the zoo today.

I've decided I want a jaguar. You may think it is funny to think I want a Jaguar when I really hate (and am semi-afraid of) cats, but it is the feeling of most of my cat hating friends.

Ed (art major, currently looking for a job as an art teacher) brought paper and pens and made me, too. So we stopped to sketch the rhinoceros. I at first drew him as a steak. Then I drew him for real, only to be sorely showed up by Ed.

My drawing was a failure, but it was fun.

Tomorrow=cubs game with 5 friends. Score.

dinosaurs and eating habits

We had a guest over.

I needed to eat lunch.

So, being the hospitable girl I learned to be from my parents, I offered to make some lunch.

-Macaroni and cheese

-Pizza

-Chicken Nuggets (shaped like dinosaurs- at no extra cost!)

-Fish sticks

-Spaghetti-O's

My guest pointed out that I eat like a 9 year old. Then, and again at Harry's when I ordered Loaded Tots (they are so good...).

This idea was reinforced when I went to Ikea with a friend and stopped for lunch, picture below. I will say that my insides felt weird and this was really the only thing that looked good. I'll be honest- I think the swedish fish saved me. I'll also be honest about the fact that I love Uncrustables.

ruined church again, you say??

I was in bed at 9:00 last night because I thought I had to open.

I looked at my schedule to see when I worked on Friday, and found out I work instead from 2:45-8:15 today.

Which is great, especially since Lydia played some DDR with me once I found out I didn't need to be in bed. Except I finally found a midweek service tonight. 7:30pm. Needless to say, I ruined church... again.

This time we're going to Harry's. Loaded tots... I love you.

i ruined church... several times

My church starts at 9.

I was scheduled to work at 9:30.

I asked if I could come in at 10:15, but that wouldn't work out.

Ed said he was going to Mass.

I said I was jealous, so we decided we'd go together.

First we had to find an early service.

I texted him.

I fell asleep before he texted me.

At 7:10 I woke up to see his text that said we should go to the 7am service.

Too late.

I didn't think about how the 8:30 service would work, too, and slept through it.

Protestant services are all during my work time.

I told him I'd meet him for 5:00 Mass.

Found out I had to work until 6:00.

Looked up CRC night service on my break.

They start at 6:00 and are 45 minutes away.

Except for one website that said a Korean church has an English service at 7:00p.

I looked at their official website and couldn't figure out if this was true because I can't read Korean.

We went in hopes there was a service.

No cars in the parking lot. So we walked to read times on the door. It was in Korean.

So we went to Buffalo Wild Wings.

I told him we'd go to Willow on Wednesday for their weekday service.

I just learned that Willow no longer has services on Wednesday.

more about the u of c

My grandpa also mentioned that he remembered doing this and grandma would come to watch with either his mother or her sister or whomever...

Looking at the pictures on this website is cool. Behind them (the large pointy buildings) is the Harper Memorial Library. We tried to look at it today but it is closed for renovation. I will see you in the fall, Mr. Library.

august 19

Today is my mom and dad's 31st wedding anniversary.

Today is also my grandma and grandpa's wedding anniversary. Number 67.

I spent the day with my friend Andrew (his and Tovah's 4th wedding anniversary is tomorrow) and we explored our campus, the University of Chicago. It is huge. Oh man. And so pretty. Andrew introduced me to a bakery just off campus. I bought a raspberry fruit tart. It was very delicious.

I was upset with myself for not doing my research before our excursion. When I got accepted to University of Chicago, my grandpa wrote me a welcome letter since he is a graduate from University of Chicago's signal training. He wrote about a few things he remembers on campus, and my goal is to find them. (Today I found out that Andrew's grandpa and my grandpa were both trained at Great Lakes Naval Base, which is where Lydia's dad currently works. The world is small, folks).

I've visited Rockefeller Chapel already which grandpa mentioned in his letter. Today Andrew and I happened across Sunny Gymnasium, which is where my grandpa stayed during his training, I believe (I still have the letter, but I left it in my parents car when they came to visit and now it is in my room at home).

Here is a link to the U of Chicago's World War II photo archive.

The picture above is of me outside Sunny Gymnasium, which is now a Laboratory School.

winter hats

I'm not excited for winter.

But I am excited to wear this hat. This seller is one of my favorites.

I still love my knit one and plan to wear it as well, I just have to find it!

country to chicago

My parents came to visit me in Chicago.

I'd say that we had the perfect visit.  We had to catch the train, so we had to get our Starbucks downtown instead of at mine.

We then walked to "the bean" stopping along the way at Caribou and the architectural foundation's model of the city. I pointed out some of the things of the city we saw along the way, like the Chicago theatre and the building that Obama's office was in (I think). We bought some raspberries from the market outside and ate while we walked.

After the bean we walked on this new ramp nearby and took some pictures. And walked through a garden which is no way near as good as my dad's. Then onto Buckingham fountain where I pulled my famous "would you like to be in the picture, oh yes I'd love if you'd take ours too" move.  (I love it not only because it is helpful, but it is usually a fun interaction and you get a full group picture out of the deal as well!)

We ate some ice cream on the way to Navy Pier.  It was homemade and delicious.  Also very melty.  We looked at boats on the way and thought we would lose dad over the edge a few times.  He had a hard time watching where he was going because he was looking at the boats.

I told mom that Oprah used to live in this building, because she did. I don't know where she lives now though. Sorry, mom.

Then the architectural tour full of fun facts, like that there are about 200 aircrafts in the lake near the pier due to training accidents.  I guess that shouldn't really be a "fun fact."

Then the weird tropical flower and cool fountain place at Navy Pier. With a coffee tree! Love you, coffee.

We then walked to the billy goat tavern for a Cheezborger. After, around Michigan Avenue and to one of my favorite places in the city, the presbyterian church across from the Hancock building. 

We then took the river walk to the Veteran's War Memorial which was very nice.  They had a timeline of the war lined up with the names of those lost.  I learned a lot, and probably asked a lot of questions.

We grabbed some Arby's (my mom's new favorite: chicken salad wrap) so that we could catch the 10:30 train home! 

After breakfast the next day we went to Skokie's Holocaust Museum and Education Center.  That, of course, was overwhelming (I felt sick).  The story was told by Jews that survived, and a lot of the artifacts were donated or on loan from them or their families. 

They left after lunch at 4:30p. :(

Here is the whole album.

personality test

I took a personality test online. It says I am isfj.

Apparently that means I should marry an estp.  I don't know what that means, but it reminds me of Stone Temple Pilots.

I suppose I just made it awkward for the two single guys that read this if they end up as an estp.  I don't want a diamond, so you have that going for you. 

etsy zombie

When I babysat for that family I told them if they watched more than one movie a day they would become movie zombies.  They started saying "movies, popcorn, snacks, quiet" in a zombie tone.

Someone should have warned me about etsy.  I've been on it for.. um.. I don't know how long, really.  But let's not try to count the hours.  So far I've managed to buy nothing, but just add to my favorites list.  Some of the items on there are gift idea favorites (such as the BABY THINGS).  So no worries, okay?

Someone needs to cut me off.

Although maybe I can get some inspiration for those white Toms I just bought.... shareTOMS = $5.00 off. 

crafts. vintage. jewelry. bags. accessories.... etsy. zombie.

august porch hopping

So about a year ago in May I decided to do a month of letting other people blog for me.

I think this year the safer bet is for a month of blogs about PORCH HOPPING.

My roommate Lydia and I have been for some nice walks the past two evenings.  We live in a lovely suburb that also has some wealth to it.  This equals nice front porches/front porch furniture that we hardly ever see being used.  So we have decided that for every day in August, we should use furniture on different porches and then blog about the outcomes.

August 6th

Actual outcome: We sat on my friend Amie's parents porch.  It is only kind of cheating because I tried to warn her that I might do this throughout the summer but I don't think she warned her parents.  Therefore I got nervous that we would end up scaring her parents if they were home so we left pretty shortly. But only after first graffitiing their sudoku book with "Lydia and Krista were here." 

Enhanced outcome: If her parents would have come out to join us!

TOMS Shoes

TOMS Shoes

I want these. My size is sold out. I guess I'll have to keep looking. I saw a coupon code on ebay today. "New2TOMS" will save you $5. Buy some.


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love this movie, and this reel, and this song

My roommate Sarah and I watched Mulan tonight.

I love that girl.

And that movie! So amazing. Definitely a little "girl power" dose that I needed to see 

from society.

We watched some of the extra stuff on the DVD. I learned that they do the movie in a 

lot of different languages. Which seems obvious, but I hadn't stopped to think about it.

Watching the multi-language reel is cool.

chew it up

I went to visit my friend Charlie at Caribou.

And I learned that my gum can also be socially responsible, via Project 7.

wyatt wants jesus

Please read my cousin and his wife's blog post.

The first part makes me want to travel to Ethiopia and get things in line, immediately.

The second part? I was in my room alone when I read it, laughing out loud for about a minute.  An endearing, and very funny story.

zac brown band concert

I went to a Zac Brown Band concert with friends, and family.  

Above is the attachment I sent out with my email asking people to come with me.

The little town of Rockton was overwhelmed with people so the organization of the event was not so organized, and I noticed that the garbage cans were already full as we walked to the area separated out for the concert by a snow fence.  It was all part of the fun and unbelievability that Zac Brown Band was in Rockton.

I was a little disappointed to learn (from Ally) that a lot of his songs are covers.  I still love the songs, but I thought he created all of them.

The concert was a lot of fun as was the cookout beforehand with my parents, Kyle and his friend, and my grandparents. 

Some of my favorite foods, some of my favorite people, and one of my favorite bands.

pictures!

a side

I've been on a deals and social responsibility kick.

So, as a break, please enjoy this picture of me, Jessie, and Michele on a mission trip in Indiana during our high school years.  

riding

Maybe I'll have enough patience to check out some of these options for a bike. No promises.  And I did just make an offer on Craigslist...

The Recyclery

Ciclo Urbano

Working Bikes

up next... antique stores

I am so impatient that I have to tell you my blog ideas before I have even taken the picture of my AMAZING find at an antique store.

I've figured out that my problem is that I feel just as guilty leaving a good deal behind, as I do spending my money on the good deal.

Which means I might as well HAVE it and feel guilty about it, right?

also, fair trade

Buying fair trade stuff is also fun, unique, and helpful.

So here are pictures of a necklace and earring set I bought at Work of Our Hands in Pella. I think they get some of their stuff from Ten Thousand Villages.

(I was stopped at a stop sign when I took the picture. Not sure why I thought I had to take it VERY shortly after the idea occurred to me in the first place...)

platos

My new thing is Plato's Closet.

The resale shop keeps me from directly supporting what seems to be most likely slave labor.

I'd say that it also saves me money but.... I've been there too many times this month to say that with complete confidence  The clothes are cheaper, anyway.

So here are the pictures of my purchases from today. 

 

Starbucks has a new mini card.  I think it might fit right into the pocket of my new shoes. (Normally around $60.  Mine were $14.)

My next step could be this.  The clothes use organic and fair trade materials, and pay fair prices for their assembly.  Thus, the clothes are more expensive than I tend to buy.  Also, the clothes are trendy but not my style. Hopefully more sites like this pop up... and take over the clothing industry.

Toms.  I'll make it my goal to get some before the summer is over.  They donate a pair for every pair you buy.  They also pay fair prices for assembling the shoe.  Make sure to visit this page.

card games

The family that I babysit for has a new card game.  The middle child picked it out the other day, even though I wanted to play There's a Moose in your House.

The game is called Fowl Play.  I realized that the middle child was lying to me about reading the directions when he started to tell me that the rat popped the chicken's balloons.  He had determined that the wolf was a rat from the pictures, but I (being the smart detective that I am) realized that he didn't read the directions since the culprit of the game was more likely a wolf (since most of the cards were chickens) and not a rat.

Anyway, for the most part it is your own fault if you lose.  You get to pick chickens until you say "stop."  If you pick up a wolf card before you say stop you don't get any points that round.  If you say stop before you get a wolf card- you get points for however many chickens you had.

Don't be greedy.

job

The Job that had everything taken away. Not the job that gives you money.

I looked at this because Andrew blogged about it.  Now I kind of want to set it as my alarm in the morning.  That scripture is amazing.

cubs vs brewers

Lydia and I went to the game on Sunday.

It started with three outs right away from Cubs defense. Then two runs for Cubs offense when Lee hit it in the stands.

We had fun chatting with our neighbors and our hotdog vendors.  We also had fun cheering for the Cubs and celebrating their win with the crowd.

It was a very wonderful day.  You can see some of the pictures here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And........ I'll connect to Lydia's once she has hers up.

the fourth of july

4:30a-12p: Worked at Starbucks.

12p-1p: Showered and talked to the Mr. and Mrs.  and Lydia Braun (I like them).

1p-2p: Helped my friend move to Arlington Heights!

2p-5:30p: Nap.

5:30p-6:30p: Woke up. Ate. Watched ballroom dancing competition on TV.

7p-10:30p: Worked at Starbucks.

10:30p-11p: Looked up how to become a sister/nun. 

What?

cubs shirt

On Sunday I get to go to a Cubs game with Lydia.

You can not imagine my excitement.

We've already decided not to do the normal Krista cheap thing by packing pb and j's and our own water.  It will be a day of splurging.  Hotdogs. Peanuts. Crackerjacks. Who knows. And maybe our own water- so that we can spend more on (ah-hem) other drinks.

My only dilemma is what to wear. In the excitement I bought a new Cubs shirt, but I already have one (see above- a white jersey with blue sleeves).  The new one is a jersey style pink t-shirt.

I thought about doing a poll.  The trouble is, I'll end up making my own decision.  But I'll make a poll just for fun, I guess.  Just don't be angry if I don't go by it :).

If you click on the link, please note that the pink is pastel and not bright.  I don't know what the deal is with the picture but it makes the shirt look hideous.

back to babysitting

"Do you miss your sister?"- me

"I miss making her call me a brat."- child 2

"I am the evil villain.... of mustard." -child 3

"I love target kids clothes. They are so cute."- me

"You know, Krista, when you get married you can have a kid and buy them."-child 1

"Well that will happen when I meet a boy that isn't crazy, and that may not ever happen."-me

I've enjoyed being back this week with the kids I used to nanny for.  I sound a lot like my parents, though. "(In the house or out of the house, don't stand there with the door open.)"  It's probably a good thing, though, because I turned out really well.

jijjles

 

I've decided that I am going to market a new invention.

They are called "jijjles" (pronounced gig-lés).

They are exactly like goggles except that you can not see out of them.  They are for the common cheater kids playing "marco polo" at the pool that won't keep their eyes shut.

The "marcos" open their eyes at some point during the search almost 100% of the time and therefore cut down the "marco polo" game time with a lot of arguing instead of a lot of playing.

I only hope I don't get sued for the random gropings that are quite possible since the kids reallycan't see and have to use their auditory senses entirely.

pool days

I bought a pool pass for the four pools located in my suburb.

I have to go 18 times for it to be worth it.

I went once about two days ago and I'm going today.  So I only have 16 more times.

Yesterday I got to babysit for the family I used to nanny for.  I missed them.  I was concerned I wouldn't remember how to do anything but I did!  I just couldn't remember when to eat or how much to give them (about an ounce of food, total, unless it is sugar).  They even listened the whole day. It was amazing.  We also went to the pool.  

That doesn't count towards my 18 times, because they live in a different suburb.

facebook

I kind of hate facebook. I'm going though some changes, which I usually hate, so I make lots of other ones at the same time.  One of those was deleting facebook.

I also know that I am going to miss it.  

Anyway, I didn't want to delete my pictures. I like them and I think the people that I care about like to see them.  I didn't care about all the randoms being able to see them.  So, here is the site.  It is going to take me awhile to get it up to speed. I think I had 45 albums on facebook. Yikes.

I realize it makes no sense to delete facebook (semi private) and to post them on this blog (not private) but I have a feeling there are less people that read this blog than visit my facebook site randomly.

I won't promise to not ever go back, but I'm gonna let it challenge me for awhile at least.  

If you want to see a funny 30 minute episode on facebook via My Boys: click here. 

My pictures here.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kmbradt      

messed

This article was printed the day that we returned from Royal Family Kids Camp and sent the kids home with their caseworkers, foster parents, or biological families.  

Before I read the article I was pretending I was okay.

Afterwards I was really upset. This is one example of why I don't normally read the paper.

chilling at home

GOOD NEWS, everyone.

"My Boys" can now play on my computer.  The story goes like this: I love the show. I couldn't play full episodes on my mac. Now I can.

I can also pop popcorn in my microwave.  It's been a good day.

dear commuters

Dear Chicagoland Public Transportation Commuters,

Thank you for saving the tollways extra hours, and the earth extra emissions.

I just have one small item on the agenda this evening.  When there is a line of people waiting to exit at their necessary station, please do NOT get in the line and then stop in front of the door- blocking their exit to the outside world.  If you do this, you will cause them to have to go to the next stop just because you are in the way.

They will then be forced to call their roommate to come pick them up at the next stop and they won't even be able to explain to their roommate why they missed their stop in the first place because you are standing RIGHT HERE and saying that people were standing in front of the door- in the way- would be rude.  Then again- so is standing in front of the door, in people's way.

Thanks for your consideration of others,

a fellow commuter

p.s. When I was griping to Lydia about this I finished the vent with "I'm going to blog about this." Her response? "You should. People need to know this is happening. You should really raise awareness."

I then felt like a huge drama queen, but I still had to blog about it.

my royal family

I guess it didn't hit me until I read the excel document with all the counselors names and campers names: this Sunday I will once again be leaving for Royal Family Kids Camp.

I knew it on Monday when I thought about the fact that the following week we'd be cheering in the yellow buses, getting all teary and excited as the kids pulled up with their huge excited eyes looking out the windows for their names on our carefully decorated posterboards.

I knew it Monday night when I thought about how it'd be our first night reading them poems, singing them songs, saying goodnight and I love you as we made them feel safe in their bunks for the first night of sleep.

I thought about it today when I realized tomorrow would be their birthday parties, with cakes and gifts, boat rides and Jack Johnson playing as they soaked it all in.  

Tomorrow will already be half way through the week when the kids start to think about going home- and react accordingly.  Ditto for me (just ask Charlie- Wednesday of last week I was already bawling about the fact that Friday was coming and we'd all have to return home).

As I read the names on the excel document just a moment ago, I got teary.  The tears will start now, they'll end about 5 weeks from now.

I have five campers returning from my (and Cook County's) very first year's cabin.  Five others returning from my cabin last year.  I have one camper the same from last year.  

The two from my first year have aged out and can't return to camp.  One from last year they couldn't contact her foster mother :(.  But I am so excited to have my one returner, and my newby.

Be praying for us.

reachable goals

Almost all year I have been working at least once a week for 3 hours with kids in an afterschool program. Today was my last day of that because THURSDAY IS MY LAST DAY OF THE INTERNSHIP. Anyway, here is my last 5 minutes of conversation with some of the kids.

Me: Ok guys. I won't see you again ever.  Keep working hard, I want to read your names in the paper someday for doing something great. Then I can say "WOW! I know this kid, I used to make him do his homework."

Kid one: I'm going to be a hobo. You can read that in the paper someday.

Me: They don't write about hobos in the paper.

Kid one: I'll be a hobo that robs a bank, then you can read my name.

Kid two: I'm going to be a sports announcer.

Me: Great! I won't have to read your name- I'll just hear your voice on the radio.

Kid two: You'll be really old by then.

Kid three: I'm going to be a scientist.

Me: See! That's great! You'll rid the world from...

Kid three: Charlie (the name of his friend he was teasing).

Me: I was going to say unclean water and disease, but sure.

Clearly, that is not exactly the conversation I was going for. But funny, none the less.  Maybe I taught them to be funny, at least.

questionable goodies

I found a peanut M & M in my purse.  Although I have no clue how it got there, I ate it.

So, if it was placed there by someone whom covered it in anthrax or some other poison that could kill me, and I die after I write this blog: this is your clue that it was someone that knew me pretty well.

Someone that knew that if I found a random peanut M & M in my purse- even though the way that it got there was very questionable- I'd eat it.

also

In the city people speed up if they see you are about to cross the road.  They also don't wait till you have crossed the street to drive.

When crossing a four way stop light area I am presented with two "press here to cross" buttons, and I don't know which "press here to cross" button to press.

Dilemma.  

country vs. city

I grew up in the country.

I now live in the suburbs.

There are some differences.

Country: In the woods, there are animals. There are trees. There are few people.  It is peaceful at night.

City: In the woods, there are blacktopped paths. There are also sketchy things happening and it is not a place you want to be at night.

Country: I could go on a walk right now and it would be absolutely wonderful.

City: I could go on a walk right now and the outcomes might be dire.

Country: You greet everyone.

City: You walk fast and look important, with your ipod's earphones in. (Recently I felt the need to revert to country learnings and greet everyone.  A guy made a kissy noise at me. I decided I would not do that again.)

Country: Dead animals are a way of life, and usually put on the walls as decoration.

City: Dead animals are lamented over.

Country: People microwave coffee for several days.

City: People yell at you if there are 5 bubbles and they asked for "no foam."

Country: You can see the stars.

City: You can see the stars. Look really hard.

Country: Teenagers hang out in their parents basements or in the woods.

City: Starbucks or the downtown area.

(One time one of my roommates asked me why the parents just dropped their kids off in the downtown.  I explained to her that they WALK there.  She is also from the country.)

Country: 30 minutes is a normal drive to get anywhere.

City: 30 minutes is a long commute.

Country: Ask your neighbors if they need anything from town if you go.

City: Go back to Target (the same day!) if you need to.

Country: Grow up and graduate with the same 76 people.

City: Graduate with 760 people in your class (I may have exaggerated, I don't know).

Country: Gravel roads.

City: Four lane highways.

I do love them both, though, so I guess that is the same.

stress life

In my child welfare class we were talking about the system, how it is broken, how much work is placed on the social worker, how some of the families don't think they need help, how to help them anyway, etc.

At which point, a person from another graduate student program said something to the effect of "I applaud you guys, this is your goal.. to have a really stressful job."

I laughed out loud. No one else really responded.

two months?

I was going to blog about something else but I see that today marks exactly TWO MONTHS since I have blogged.  

Actually, I only know it is the 4th today because some friends told me while I was in the grocery store. I didn't believe them but the cashier said it was true.

That was right before the guy behind me told me that my grocery store selection was healthier than his.  DO note that I DID have things on the belt that normally would make me want to gag. Such as vegetables and wheat items- although compared to his selection (Vodka)- I could have gotten my normal array of Tostino's pizza rolls, etc. and still had a healthier selection.

Anyway- my response? "Nothing like some Vodka for lunch, though. Yum!"  (I didn't know that Vodka came in huge jugs- but now I do.)

Back to it being the fourth, today. My notes from today say that it is the 3rd.  That will be confusing six years from now when I go back to read them.  Or maybe I'll probably never go back to read the notes nor will I notice they have the wrong day.

That makes tomorrow "Cinco de Mayo."  Tengan un buen fiesta, todos!

death hill: a one act

A walk the prior afternoon.

Boys: That hill looks AWESOME.

Girls: That hill looks like death.

Boys: We have to go sledding down that hill.

Girls: That is death hill.

A discussion the prior evening.

Boys: We are going sledding down that hill tomorrow.

Girls: You boys are. We aren't. It is death hill due to its steepness, surrounding trees, and iced snow.

Boys: No, the rules are that you have to go.

Girls: We'll take pictures.

Sunday morning, the day of death hill.

Boys: Let's all go in this Toboggan.

Girls: I'm pretty sure that was in the garage for decoration, not function.

Boys: It'll be fun.

Girls: It'll be death.

Boys: Come on! We'll be fine! It'll be SO FUN.

Girls: Go once and we'll see if you live. If you live, we'll go too.

Boys: No we all have to go together for the first run. No one is going to get hurt.

This is why you should NEVER EVER listen to boys. It is also evidence that girls are always right.

(in order: Katie with a gushing blood/swollen hand, Matt with a scraped back and no tshirt, Ben with (more) bloody knuckles, and Krista after a bloody nose- stopped compliments of Matt's tshirt, scraped face/stomach/side, and a thigh bruise)

*You may find it interesting to know that the girls were DONE after the Toboggan incident.  The boys continued to race each other down death hill in purple sleds. After racing was finished, on the walk home the boys proceeded to discuss how amazing the purple sleds were due to their durability, impact ability, speed capabilities, etc.