Moving

I moved blogs.

http://ktaylor27.wordpress.com/

The protected posts need a password. If you want the password, ask.

Well so it goes, the ebb and flow; happiness was never us.

It's time for changes, endings, and new beginnings.

Julie and Lauren graduate tomorrow. I remember my graduation as feeling very surreal. I didn't really believe that college was over. I kept thinking that someone was going to find me and pull me from the ceremony, saying, "Kristin, you didn't take that math class you were supposed to take! I'm sorry, but you cannot graduate". I still have dreams about it to this day.

I also remember being more excited than sad. I had a lot to look forward to. And I was ready to leave Cal Poly behind (although I do miss it sometimes). I was excited to move back to New York. My best friends were (and still are) there.

No regrets, I'm still very glad to be here. Even with everything (I wont need to move to California this time to deal). I'm right where I need to be, for a while.

But I digress. What I really want to say is CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN AND JULIE! I love you both and am so happy/excited for you. (And Lauren, I have my fingers crossed that things will work out and you will stay in NY. It would not be the same without you).

Happy Graduation.

5 things, 3 sub-points, and a comment

1)It's rainy, but I don't mind. Except I need new rainboots.

2)Every now and then, phrases like "Don't give up" and "Don't be a quitter" are not the right answers. Or the wise ones. But that is not intuitive to me. Never give up, never surrender is more my style. Don't jump the ship. Don't make waves. Ride out the storm. (Maybe I am supposed to be a sea-woman. Or a pirate).

3)I am moving to a shared window office tomorrow. That will be a nice change. Natural light is good for the soul.

4)I saw a show last night, and it was good, but it mostly made me even more excited to see Conor in July.

5)July is my month to look forward to:
a. New Haven, Connecticut to see Conor Oberst
b. Kansas City, Missouri for Tessa (and Heath's) wedding
c. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Could it be any more luscious?

A couple days ago it was ridiculously hot and sunny, but today it is gloomy and cold. I prefer it this way; it is seasonally appropriate. I become unsettled when things act in a way they are not supposed to.

I registered for my first psychology class today! Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:40. I didn't get into the program I wanted, but I adjusted and found another way (I am nothing if not adjustable).

I am looking forward to taking the class, but I am already sad about what I will have to give up. Namely, Wednesdays sculpt class with Roxanne. Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week. Katie and I go to the gym, get our butts kicked at sculpt, then I watch Katie and Elliott while they make dinner (I feebly help every now and then) and we all watch LOST together. But LOST is ending soon anyways and I bet I can get Katie to invite me over another day of the week (she's nice like that). So the only thing I will be missing is the gym. But I can't neglect my future so I can get rock hard assets with Roxanne.

That's always been my philosophy, anyway.

So this is the new year...

Katie updated today, and I realized that a lot has happened since my last post, so it was time I followed suit.

First, a whole new year happened. It is now no longer 2008, but 2009. My transition from 2008 to 2009 was probably the most anticlimactic ever. I was sick and fell asleep at 11pm! I woke up at 1 am and said, "happy new year", and then crawled into bed.

Christmas was much better....I spent time with Chris and my family at the cabin in Big Bear. It was a magical, beautiful, white christmas, and I loved.

Another happening, which I am so very excited about, is I got a new job!

I still sort of can't believe it actually happened. I remember thinking that it was a good idea a few months back, and hoping that it would work out, but never really believing it would go the way I wanted (I have Chris, Julie, Katie, and Amanda to thank for making sure I actually went for it!).

Starting in the beginning of February, I will be the Manager of Budget Operations for the VP of Arts and Sciences Department at Columbia University (say that three times fast). I am finishing up my grad school application (tonight) and will (hopefully, if accepted) start my free education at Columbia Fall 2009.

I am so, I don't even know....thankful(?) blessed(?).....that this is even a possibility. And the other benefits of the job make me just as happy.

So despite the not so stupendous send off of 2008/bringing in of 2009, this year is shaping up to be a good one.

Happiness is....

This weekend has been a superb holiday weekend, and it is only Saturday.

I must admit that I was nervous all week about Thanksgiving and how we were going to pull it off. None of those present at our Thanksgiving party had ever cooked a turkey, and I was wary of how everything could be timed and cooked just right in our tiny kitchen.

But come Wednesday night, Tessa and I started the preparations....she made an apple pie, I made a pumpkin pie and wrote out a schedule for the next day.

And it went very well! I wouldn't say flawlessly, but nearly so....



The turkey came out moist and Heath watched a youtube video on how to carve a turkey (which he did perfectly).

We all said what we were thankful for, and although the majority of the table rolled their eyes at this tradition, we had to do it, because its Thanksgiving! (Its what the Pilgrims and the Indians did at the very first Thanksgiving, after all)!

(not pictured: Mike and Chris)

Yesterday was nice and relaxing after a busy Thursday. Julie, Chris and I met up with Lauren for a bit last night, which is always a pleasure. Although for some reason there was a lot of talk about engagements and pregnancies (poor Chris! He handled it well).

And today I am in my British movie watching mood..... which happens often.

All this to say.....I am very happy and content right now. Its a good way to live.



PS: Today, Chris bought a car! This adds exponentially to my happiness.

The weather, and more firsts

I don't mind the weather, I've got scarves and hats and sweaters. I've got long johns under slacks for blustery days.

Mondays and Wednesdays are the two days during the week that Julie and I are up at the same time. Normally it is delightful, or at the least uneventful, but this morning she was in a very petulant mood.

She looked up the weather and started whining about the cold. I went in my room and turned on the song "Blacking out the Friction"; to give us some perspective. A few seconds later I hear her yell, "But I DO mind the weather!" and she stomped over to my room and gave me her famous its-morning-and-I'm-grumpy-and-you-are-annoying-me look. But then we both put on our long johns and tried to bundle up to bear it (30, feels like 20).

On to another subject... last night, I had a first. I bought a whole chicken and then proceeded to cut it into pieces all.by.my.self! Now, to truly understand what a momentous occasion this is, you would have to know my general attitude towards chicken. I am a boneless skinless kind of girl. In the past, I have always hated having to dig around the bones to find meat to eat. I like my chicken to be placed in front of me.... a perfectly cooked, easy to cut, user friendly meal.

But last night, I got over it.

I cut that lil' chicken into pieces and cooked it up, bones and all. All for this recipe I wanted to try called Chicken Cacciatore. It was very delicious, almost like a chicken stew. It has tomatoes, onions, garlic, and white wine. I added some mushrooms and green peppers and served it over rice. It was simple and homey, I enjoyed it.

(and it opened my eyes to a new way to be).