absence makes the heart grow fonder

Right?

Right.

So here is the deal. I am back in Tacoma for at least a couple weeks! This is what I've been up to:

First, I spent two weeks or so in Sioux Falls for Caitlin and William's wedding.

The Beautiful Bride and I

The "pretending to be hammered" Groom and I. (He didn't have to try TOO hard)

Next, I got back to Tacoma, unpacked, did some laundry, packed, and headed off to Athens (not THAT Athens), Georgia (sorry, not that Georgia either). Anyway, my friends Ali and Brent were kind enough to pick me up in Atlanta and drive me to their home in Athens, provide me with my very own room and bathroom, sign me up for a 5k (I did it!!), teach me all about tennis, feed me delicious food, make me coffee, introduce me to super nice people, take me to the pool.... I could go on...

Ali and I at the pool
Brent, me, Ali, and Laura living the good life. Food, drink, and merriment.

Anyway folks, I'll try my best to get back on track. These next few weeks will not be without excitement either... I will be moving (somewhere, not sure where yet), and with any luck, finding a full time job.

Send me good vibes, I'll be needing them!

He's all grown up!

Many of you have heard this story, but I'll share it again the best I can.

April 20, 2008. On the phone with Michael.

Mike: Hello?
Kara: Hey
M: Whats up?
K: Not much... Happy Birthday!!!
M: Thanks
K: So the big one-nine. Your last year as a teenager! How cool! Man, enjoy yourself while you are young. Soon you will be in your TWENTIES. So mike, this is your last year as a teen, what are you going to do? Big plans?
M: *pause*
K: So happy birthday! Nineteen years! Mike you are growing up so...
M: Kara?
K: Yeah?
M: I'm 20.


I'll post the pics that inspired this post.... at a later date. Right now, reminiscing with the brother :0)

quarter century

I'd love to say something deep. To really take a step back, observe and analyze my current state of being, and share eloquently stated pearls of wisdom... but this is not going to happen.

Instead, (three days late), you get old pictures of me!

12 days


1 year


2 years


Apparently 3 and 4 were not photo worthy, so here's year 5


And year 6


Would you just look at how rockin' we all look in that last picture? Daaaamn!

Funny how things change. Anna, my cousin, the one in the white polka dot shirt, now has two boys, the oldest being exactly the age I was in this picture.

Well anyway. Tomorrow I'm off to visit that cute little guy in the blue and white tank top and yellow sunglasses. Only now he is 21, has a girlfriend, a house, a motorcycle, a car, and a job running sound for events at South Dakota State University.

Ahhh life.

This is why I like solo roadtrips...

Today I am grateful that I made it home and am no longer sitting in my car. I'd like to make it known that for that final stretch, I was rockin' to Billy Joel. This made me very happy- not so much the act of listening to Billy Joel, but knowing that if there was video footage of me in that last hour or so of my drive, it would be hilarious. Deeply embarrassing, but hilarious. Windows down, stereo as loud as it would go, smoking a cigarette, singing (badly) at the top of my lungs, playing the steering wheel drums, and just having a grand 'ol time.

Needless to say, I am running on adrenaline. I am officially so tired I'm giddy. You know what I'm talkin' about. More tomorrow 'cause right now

I

am off

to la-la-land

Old Maids

I said I would update, I haven't. But ya know what? I am pretty sure the people who actually read this are the ones I spend all my time with anyway so they know exactly whats been going on. There are no big surprises here.

However, I think I had a good thing going when I was coming up with at least one thing to be grateful for each day. I dont know if you liked it, but I enjoyed doing it, and I'm all about starting that up again.


















I have had a really great week. I mean- I don't feel like giving the world a great big hug, but I don't want out so desperately either. Perhaps this is weird, but I feel it most in my eyes. I dont know if you can tell by looking at me, but this last week my eyes have been open and anticipating and actively taking things in. I have had happy eyes as of late- as opposed to being all droopy and cynical or darting around desperately trying to avoid eye contact with others. I can fake a smile, speak happy words, and make it seem legit... but my eyes are (or at least feel) more telling. Yeah, maybe this is weird.

Anyway, I'd like to get back on track with my documentation of what makes me smile for real. Whole body smiles. Things that really truely bring me joy.

Today (yesterday, I guess) I went to Beth's, a very cool cafe less than a block from Lance's house in Greenlake with Kristen, Lance, and Brice. Beth's is known for their 6 or 12 egg omelets. (The four of us split a 12 egg bacon something-or-other omelet. It was delicious, and I am still full a solid 13 hours later) They also have an interesting way of decorating the place... there are stacks of plain white paper, big 'ol packs of crayons, and masking tape to stick your art to the walls wherever you can find a space. I was feeling less than inspired, but Lance and Kristen went all out. Kristen's artwork is what I am going to officially be grateful for... but really, it was the whole day.



















Above you see photo documentation of some impromptu art that kept me giggling for quite some time. Thank you Kristen, Lance, and Brice. You guys get an A+.

I am thankful for friends friends friends.

Its been a busy weekend... update, and multiple photos within a week or so!

Back!

I have returned!

The next few days are filling up quickly. Today is for regrouping, organizing, laundry, etc. Tomorrow I'll be back to babysitting, and in the evening my friend Nic and a buddy or two of his will be staying with me and spending the next few days in the Tacoma/Seattle area. There will be appointments here and there, planning for my August trip to Sioux Falls, and catching up with friends.

But for now, coffee.

Adios!

Well everyone, I am off! Going to spend a few days with the fam, then some more days with my other family.

Happy 4th, catch ya in a couple weeks!

Oh, Mister Sun?

Sun? Mr. Golden Sun?

I'd like to thank you for being around the last few days! I am grateful for your presence, Mr. Sun! You are quite a pal. (If you are not too busy, I would looove it if you could come to Winnipeg with me next week! We'd have a blast, really!)

Thanks again, hope you stick around!

Mmmm

So lately I have started some new medications. Some days I think I feel better, some days, not so much. Today, is a good day though. One side-effect of these meds is a marked decrease in my appetite. Without giving it much thought, it seems like a fabulous side effect. Weight loss goals finally attainable!! But really, it can be a bit of a bummer. I never really realized how big a role food has in every day life. So many interactions take place around food. That, and I really like food. I would like to eat it thankyouverymuch.

I would love to be thin and toned, but not at the expense of feeling lethargic all the time or on the verge of passing out. So, I've started reading lables. Very closely. It is really something I should have been doing all along, but this kinda forced me into it. I have to get a lot of bang for my buck when I eat. Luna bars and protein shakes have been lifesavers. And today I am grateful for a new discovery...

Veggie burger from Trader Joe's baked in the oven (it was the recommended prep)
Big 'ol dollop of guacamole
Lots of cilantro
Topped off with a couple slices of tomato

We've got protein from the burger without the bad fat of real burgers, good fat in the guac, and maybe a couple vitamins/minerals/whatnot from the rest. And in my humble opinion, it tasted pretty good!