So it's been a while, which I feel is how I start every post on here, but I promise I'll get better! Some things have changed since my last post, most notably my location. I'M IN BARCELONA! It's been just over a week since I got here and I'm already loving it! It has been a tough transition and I miss my family and friends a lot, but it's an experience that I already know I will never forget!
The past week or so has been all about getting settled. I was lucky enough to have my beautiful mama here for the first few days to help me with the transition (most notably finding the closest Starbucks to my apartment). I'm so happy that she was able to experience a bit of this with me! Unfortunately she had to head back to the States last Thursday, saying a tearful goodbye, but that will only make seeing her in July that much sweeter!
Since mom left I've been trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of being homesick. Friday night my wonderful host family made a traditional Spanish dinner for me filled with lots of seafood. Yum! Saturday I went sightseeing, going to to the FCB (Barcelona's soccer team) Stadium and to a pretty park nearby. Later that night was the European Cup game between Barcelona and Manchester United which I watched with my excited host family. Barcelona won!! The excitement filled the streets and you could here horns blaring and people celebrating long after the final goal. Sunday my host family took me to the stadium again to celebrate the big win. It was so exciting to see such enthusiasm and pride for one's hometown team! Overall it was an exciting first weekend in Barcelona!
Monday marked the beginning of my second week at work. So far I am loving getting to know the company, its products and its costumers. It makes me happy that I have chosen to study PR and Marketing because it does truly interest me. My boss is also the Vice-President of the Barcelona Soccer Club so Thursday I get to go to a conference with him to assist him in translating. The conference is in English, and although my boss speaks English very well, I will be there to help him if he does not understand a question that is asked or needs clarification. A little nerve-racking, but I am excited to step up to the plate!
It's only been a week, but already I feel that I have made the best decision for me at this time in my life. Although it is so difficult to be away from my friends and family, I know that this is something that I will remember for the rest of my life! God has blessed me so much, and it is time to use those gifts and show the world who I am!
"Make something beautiful of your life"--Abraham Verghese ("Cutting for Stone")
Peace & Love,
Kate
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Learning to Live
It's been awhile. Things have been absolutely crazy lately with the end of the semester and finals, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am loving everything about my life, the people in it and the places that I am going. It is a sense of calm and ease that I am not used to. Ask anyone who knows me, the words calm and at ease are not normally used to describe me. This year has been a journey that I can now finally appreciate.
So many changes have come this year that I wasn't ready for, or atleast I didn't think I was, until now. It's funny how I can spend so much time planning for the future, only to have things turned completely upside down. However, for some odd reason my neurotic self isn't freaking out. Well not anymore. I've taken a calmer approach to my life that has led to a feeling of peace and understanding that I can't control everything that goes on in my life.
My family has been a great source of strength for this past year as I struggle to find who I am, what I want to do, and who should be involved in that journey. They have stood by me when everyone else left. It has been through tears, laughter and some good wine that I have come to realize and appreciate who I am, imperfections and all. I am blessed to have a family that no matter how far I may stray, stands by me and the decisions (or mistakes) I make.
Just thought I'd get these thoughts out there before the crazy week of finals sets in and I forget (momentarily of course) how blessed I am to live the life that I live with the people I love. The journey isn't over, but I've finally reached a place where I can take a breath and appreciate all that God has given me.
Peace & Love,
Kate
So many changes have come this year that I wasn't ready for, or atleast I didn't think I was, until now. It's funny how I can spend so much time planning for the future, only to have things turned completely upside down. However, for some odd reason my neurotic self isn't freaking out. Well not anymore. I've taken a calmer approach to my life that has led to a feeling of peace and understanding that I can't control everything that goes on in my life.
My family has been a great source of strength for this past year as I struggle to find who I am, what I want to do, and who should be involved in that journey. They have stood by me when everyone else left. It has been through tears, laughter and some good wine that I have come to realize and appreciate who I am, imperfections and all. I am blessed to have a family that no matter how far I may stray, stands by me and the decisions (or mistakes) I make.
Just thought I'd get these thoughts out there before the crazy week of finals sets in and I forget (momentarily of course) how blessed I am to live the life that I live with the people I love. The journey isn't over, but I've finally reached a place where I can take a breath and appreciate all that God has given me.
Peace & Love,
Kate
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Girls Rule, Boys Drool
I was listening to Taylor Swift, furthering my state of utter depression over my lack of a love life (you think I'm kidding) when it hit me. Okay, so it wasn't that bad, but still T.Swift has a way with words, even if she can't sing live to save her life.
There's one song that really stood out to me, "Mean." It's basically an ode to all those mean girls out there who find happiness by making others feel inferior. It made me wonder, why do we, as girls, allow others to define who we are? Why does what one jealous person says or thinks have the ability to make us question who we are as a person?
Why do girls, and women, feel the need to tear other girls down? Isn't it like they say in High School Musical, "We're All in This Together"? Our similarities far out-weigh our differences and we need to embrace each other rather than tear one another down. If we came together as women and appreciated ourselves more instead of finding any reason to call the other a "bitch," maybe we really could rule the world (let's face it, men will never rule, sorry guys).
Be the person that you want to be. Don't let what others say or think of you define where you choose to go in life. Make your own definition, you may have to revise it a few times, but that's life. It's okay to make a few mistakes, get messy and change directions along the way. The journey is the exciting part, and if you're not happy with who you are, it'll all be for nothing.
I know it's easier said than done, but know that I'm right there with you...fighting to define myself. I'm done letting others tell me who I should be; I'm in charge from now on and it's going to stay that way. It's not going to be easy, if it was then everyone would be doing it.
As T.Swift so eloquently put it, "Someday I'll be livin' in a big ole' city, and all you're every going to be is mean."
Peace & Love,
Kate
There's one song that really stood out to me, "Mean." It's basically an ode to all those mean girls out there who find happiness by making others feel inferior. It made me wonder, why do we, as girls, allow others to define who we are? Why does what one jealous person says or thinks have the ability to make us question who we are as a person?
Why do girls, and women, feel the need to tear other girls down? Isn't it like they say in High School Musical, "We're All in This Together"? Our similarities far out-weigh our differences and we need to embrace each other rather than tear one another down. If we came together as women and appreciated ourselves more instead of finding any reason to call the other a "bitch," maybe we really could rule the world (let's face it, men will never rule, sorry guys).
Be the person that you want to be. Don't let what others say or think of you define where you choose to go in life. Make your own definition, you may have to revise it a few times, but that's life. It's okay to make a few mistakes, get messy and change directions along the way. The journey is the exciting part, and if you're not happy with who you are, it'll all be for nothing.
I know it's easier said than done, but know that I'm right there with you...fighting to define myself. I'm done letting others tell me who I should be; I'm in charge from now on and it's going to stay that way. It's not going to be easy, if it was then everyone would be doing it.
As T.Swift so eloquently put it, "Someday I'll be livin' in a big ole' city, and all you're every going to be is mean."
Peace & Love,
Kate
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fearless
It's crazy how just driving by my old house can make me feel so much better. It represents everything that is pure and simple in life. When all I had to worry about was if I should play dress-up or ride my bike. I miss that little white house on Hampshire Rd. I miss being able to ride my bike around the block, play soccer in the backyard, and take walks to Dairy Queen in the summer.
I wasn't worried about the exam I have on Thursday, that paper I have due tomorrow or how I'm ever going to schedule for all of the classes I need to take. I lived in the moment, not afraid of anything. Why can't I still be that fearless? Why can't I just say what I want to say?
These days it feels like I have so much to say, but can't find the words to say it. I'm scared of the possibility of rejection. It's the most frusturating feeling in the world to know exactly how you feel and what you want, but being too scared to go for it. It's almost as if every time I have the opportunity to show how I really feel I tense up and forget what to say.
I wish I could talk to that little girl and see how she does it. How does she trust in her own ability? How does she see the beauty in herself even when no one else does?
It's time for me to start living life like that little girl: fearlessly (if that's even a word). I'm ready to speak up and say how I feel. If that results in rejection so be it.
It's time to live out loud.
Peace & Love,
Kate
I wasn't worried about the exam I have on Thursday, that paper I have due tomorrow or how I'm ever going to schedule for all of the classes I need to take. I lived in the moment, not afraid of anything. Why can't I still be that fearless? Why can't I just say what I want to say?
These days it feels like I have so much to say, but can't find the words to say it. I'm scared of the possibility of rejection. It's the most frusturating feeling in the world to know exactly how you feel and what you want, but being too scared to go for it. It's almost as if every time I have the opportunity to show how I really feel I tense up and forget what to say.
I wish I could talk to that little girl and see how she does it. How does she trust in her own ability? How does she see the beauty in herself even when no one else does?
It's time for me to start living life like that little girl: fearlessly (if that's even a word). I'm ready to speak up and say how I feel. If that results in rejection so be it.
It's time to live out loud.
Peace & Love,
Kate
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Imperfection is Beautiful
So here goes nothing. . . my first blog post.
Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I watch (and enjoy) reality television. The Real Housewives, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Jersey Shore, you name it, I TiVo it. The other day, while flipping aimlessly from channel to channel, instead of studying of course, I came across a commercial for a new reality show on the E! Network, Bridalplasty. Disgusting. To spare you the pain of searching for a clip on YouTube, I'll give you an overview. A bunch of fame-seeking, bimbo idiots compete to have their plastic surgery bill paid for in time for their wedding. Was that too harsh?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Is this really what we, as media consumers, see as worthy of our time? Watching people focus on their outside appearance and overlooking the fact that they are about to make the biggest commitment of their life? People today focus so much on the outside appearances of weddings and forget what it is really all about: marriage. A wedding is one day, marriage is forever, at least I thought it was. Maybe if people spent more time on the inside, preparing for what will be the rest of their life instead of getting a nip here and a tuck there, the divorce rate would not be so astronomically high in this country.
What are we teaching younger generations? If you have the perfect nose and the nicest boobs your marriage will be successful? If that is the case I think it's time to stop acting surprised when the latest divorce statistics come out. Sure there has to be some physical attraction, but if there is nothing worth loving on the inside now, it's not going to be there five, ten years from now when the mortgage payment is late and your kids need braces.
Why can't we just love ourselves for who we are, even if that includes a muffin-top and cellulite? We need to start loving the imperfections that make us different and stop focusing on attaining that modelesque figure. Even Heidi Klum gets a little airbrush here and there. It's that crooked nose, the scar on your right cheek and those stretch marks that make you beautiful. It isn't easy to accept, but it's necessary if we're ever going to live in a world where love isn't determined by what is on the outside.
LET"S START A REVOLUTION! Just kidding, I'm not that worked up about it (I mean kind of). Just thought I'd throw it out into cyperspace instead of ranting about it to my roommate. It takes baby steps.
Peace & Love,
Kate
Okay, so I'll be the first to admit that I watch (and enjoy) reality television. The Real Housewives, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Jersey Shore, you name it, I TiVo it. The other day, while flipping aimlessly from channel to channel, instead of studying of course, I came across a commercial for a new reality show on the E! Network, Bridalplasty. Disgusting. To spare you the pain of searching for a clip on YouTube, I'll give you an overview. A bunch of fame-seeking, bimbo idiots compete to have their plastic surgery bill paid for in time for their wedding. Was that too harsh?
I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Is this really what we, as media consumers, see as worthy of our time? Watching people focus on their outside appearance and overlooking the fact that they are about to make the biggest commitment of their life? People today focus so much on the outside appearances of weddings and forget what it is really all about: marriage. A wedding is one day, marriage is forever, at least I thought it was. Maybe if people spent more time on the inside, preparing for what will be the rest of their life instead of getting a nip here and a tuck there, the divorce rate would not be so astronomically high in this country.
What are we teaching younger generations? If you have the perfect nose and the nicest boobs your marriage will be successful? If that is the case I think it's time to stop acting surprised when the latest divorce statistics come out. Sure there has to be some physical attraction, but if there is nothing worth loving on the inside now, it's not going to be there five, ten years from now when the mortgage payment is late and your kids need braces.
Why can't we just love ourselves for who we are, even if that includes a muffin-top and cellulite? We need to start loving the imperfections that make us different and stop focusing on attaining that modelesque figure. Even Heidi Klum gets a little airbrush here and there. It's that crooked nose, the scar on your right cheek and those stretch marks that make you beautiful. It isn't easy to accept, but it's necessary if we're ever going to live in a world where love isn't determined by what is on the outside.
LET"S START A REVOLUTION! Just kidding, I'm not that worked up about it (I mean kind of). Just thought I'd throw it out into cyperspace instead of ranting about it to my roommate. It takes baby steps.
Peace & Love,
Kate
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