Frilly Friday!

I am happy and looking forward to my weekend. First job where I get holidays off. Score. Other happy things on my mind: Ammon <3

Inspiration

Athena. I just love her so much and she is so dang adorable.

USA vs Costa Rica tonight.

Watching said game here. The Republican aka the pub. Someone said it perfectly: "its a dirty little irish bar but its home" except I its not dirty its clean.

Animals and animal rights.

E is hooooome!

This kid! He's so adorable! I love it and it makes me smile.

This little piggy guy (and other animals) is why I am vegetarian. But I have a confession and I'm so sad/ashamed. I ate some chicken and tuna salad at Ammon's mama's last night and I felt horrible thinking about the poor chicken I was eating with its crippled legs in the dark and dirty chicken house :( And I made the tuna salad!!! But now after finishing whats left of the salad for lunch (I'm not letting my money go to waste) I'm more motivated than ever to stick to it and make a difference.

I haven't posted a lot of pics lately so I'm glad I did today cuz I always like other peoples blog posts better when there are pictures. Have a great weekend! Three day weekend!! Love, Kxoxo

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Go check out www.thedaybook.com. She's who I got the idea for this post series I just need to figure out how to link up properly. And she is so cute and sweet and amazingly fashionable. You'll love it. I promise. Awkward: 1- Having your boyfriend for the first time ever ask you if you farted. I can't believe I told you that... 2- Staring at all the pre-packaged food options at Whole Foods for literally 10 minutes because you don't know what vegetarian options you'll actually like. (Oh yeah I'm going vegetarian and am probably the most picky eater ever). 3- Ok this one didn't happen to me but its still awkward. Having Ammon take out the dog we were sitting, out to potty in front of the house we were sitting to have a neighbor wave and say "Hey!" and then "Oh wait... you're not Jeremy..." 4- Having to cover up your initial reaction of complete terror when an itty spider crawls across your desk and your boss is right there. 5- Being a vegetarian in an extended family of carnivores. I don't even want to have to think about that one. 6- Sitting writing this post and mentioning my vegetarian efforts while the smell of bacon surrounds me and it really smells good. But don't worry I won't :) Awesome: 1- Play fighting with your boyfriend in a wal-mart, gas station, etc then have a lady totally scuzz your boyfriend for acting like such a jerk. 2- Getting a Mongoose bike from D.I. for $15 bucks when they usually sell them for a couple hundred and then waaay more for a non used one. 3- Getting my PETA shirt, stickers, and buttons in the mail. Love the shirt and bumper sticker :) 4- Babysitting a puppy after being puppy hungry and realizing how glad I am that Athena isn't a puppy anymore. 5- Falling in love with your love again. Not that I ever fell out of love! But just those moments every once in a while when how much you love and appreciate him hits you again. 6- The Utes first game tonight baby! Woo Woo! Love, Kxoxo

A Schedule of Sorts

I've seen various blogs that keep a schedule for some or all days of the week. I'm gonna try it for awhile and see how I like it. Your feedback is always appreciated and encouraged! Sunday: Day of Rest No Post Manic Monday: Tales of the Weekend Tally Tuesday: Update (taking tally) on my health adventures i.e. vegetarian living, bike riding, excercise, etc Warm Wednesday: A challenge or call to arms about certain animal, world, community, etc issues (something to make you feel all good and warm n fuzzy) Akward and Awesome Thursday: Share some akwards and awesomes from my week (found on www.thedaybook.com). There is a way to link up to her website/blog but I need to figure out how to do it. Frilly Friday: Something that is making me happy that day. Maybe a decorating post. A good recipe. A shoutout. A new purchase. A dream. Anything goes. Shoot 'Em Up Saturday: Anything I want to share, remember, brag about ;) etc. This is a flexible post day cuz sometimes I'm not around a computer on Saturdays. We'll see how it goes! Lovey Dovey you all Love, K xoxo

I love you baby but I just can't smile :|

Ok first off:

Is this freaking weird and creepy or what? Here is the website cuz I can't figure out how to link stuff yet (ya I know you don't have to tell me how lame that sounds):
http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2011/08/real-wedding-album-barbie-ken.html
Check it out and let me know why this is somehow 'sweet and genius' or whatever it is this lady writer is saying. Because I think its creeeeeepy.

I read this article:
http://www.xojane.com/relationships/never-ever-tell-me-smile
after reading another similar article on glamour.com and totally agreed and laughed and remembered all the times this has happened to me.

Maybe its because my mom can be the same way i.e. if she's tired sometimes she takes on a sad quiet expression and it TICKS her off when everyone asks her "whats the matter?" "awh are you ok?" or that if Mariah is in a bad mood you just steer clear and let her come around in her own time. Anyways, maybe those contribute to me wanting to punch someone (and the article is right, its never women) square in the face when they tell me to smile.

I am a very naturally happy person. I laugh and sing and talk to myself/my dog when no one else is around (did I really just admit to that?). I am a total goof ball and spaz when I'm with my family and friends. I genuinely try to be nice and friendly to everyone I meet. I do not, however, go around with a stupid grin plastered on my face all day. Why would I? I know I'm happy, I know I'm grateful for all of the blessings in my life, I know I love everyone and everything that I have. I don't have to smile to know that.

And for some reason you guys think that by telling me to smile its gonna make me want to? "Oh! Yes sir! I'll get right on that sir!" *smile*. Uh, yeah, no. No way. In fact when someone tells me "hey why don't you smile?" or "come on smile, be happy, life's beautiful" or some other crappy line I want to do the exact opposite. One time I did: Someone kept telling me to smile (an acquaintance) over and over but I was already upset. Finally I just looked him dead in the eyes and bared all my teeth in a very pained pissed off smile. And it was awesome.

I'm allowed to look anyway that I want: weepy, ecstatic, cocky, mean, stand offish, angry, perplexed, happy, dangerous, ANYTHING and that is my perogative (i love using that word). Thats great and awesome that you walk around smiling at everyone; its great for you. Just allow me to walk around as I please. As juvenile as it sounds when someone tells me to smile I want to go all miss attitude on them and say "bitch please, you don't knooooow me" ha but I won't.

Anyone else agree with me on this one?

Love,
Kxoxo

PS: both me and E were told in high school/jr high that we looked pissed off or rude when we walked down the hall. it was news to both of us! we thought/think we're both very nice and happy people haha

PPS: geez I kinda do sound like a jerk in this post but I promise I'm not

My Love

This is Ammon. He's a Baker. He's a writer. He's a reader. He's a freaking comedian. He's a genius. He's a chef. He's a foundation. He's a pillow. He's a driver. He's a lover. He's a fighter. He's a hard worker. He's a sweetheart. He's a man. He's a boyfriend. He's a listener. He's a shoulder to cry on. He's a soccer player. He's a soccer fan. He's a soccer fanatic. He's a pub man. He's a beer-o. He's a goofball. He's a gentleman.

He is my forever love.

And that makes me the happiest girl in the world. With him I have it all no matter what I am missing. I had the most cranky, snappy, exhausting day on Tuesday and during our driving for 2 or 3 hours I was mean and crabby and unfair. He on the other hand, after being a little crank, was amazing. He made me smile, laugh, and have an amazing day after all. And that right there is why I love him. No matter what. No matter how horrible things are/may seem he has the ability to make me smile and laugh and be happy again. He brings out the best in me. I love you baby.

Now, who or what do you love?
Love,
Kxoxo

Who Me?

Vegetarianism isn't something I've arrived at lightly. The decision has resulted from a lot of thought, emotion, and research. Am I full blown 100% vegetarian now? No way. I'm easing into the transition because I tend to stick to my goals when I do it that way. I'm still researching the best ways to get all of the nutrition my body needs and how to get it without meat, recipes that I'll love, and reasons why I chose to do this in the first place. Hint: I have a very soft spot in my heart for animals and knowing the way they are mistreated and mass produced only to to add a buck to an already overflowing wallet and a pound to an already expanded waist line (waist line came from me thinking about all the meat McDonalds sells) enrages me (yes I pulled out enrages). We are all animals when it comes right down to it. I believe that all animals have a spirit whether or not they are as mentally and emotionally developed as other species. Who decided that we rank so much higher than any other animal? Because we have more knowledge and technology? That gives us more responsibility to do things humanely, but we don't. If we all killed our animals humanely and kept them in acceptable conditions like my Dad does it wouldn't be as much of a problem but no one is willing to spend a buck or two doing so. Its going to be hard but I want to do what's right and I've found that animal rights and animal welfare in general is something I'm very passionate about. Now, blog world, I'm accountable to someone/thing if I ever falter. You should watch some of the movies out there i.e. Glass Walls with Paul McCartney and Meet Your Meat they'd at least make you more educated and aware which is never a bad thing.

Love,
Kxoxo

My Safari

Sometimes I've got my camelback/backpack on, my iPod turned up, enough water and Cliff bars, and top of the line compass. And I know without a doubt exactly where I'm going. I've got the perfect pace and I'm making good and steady progress. Then there are times when my backpack is too heavy, I can't find the perfect song, I'm running low on Cliff bars, and my compass, frankly, sucks.

I want to attach Ammon or Mariah or Athena, hell all three, to the back of my pack and chat with them during my safari. If I'm low on water, Ammon will have some to share. Mariah fills up the void so music isn't needed. If I'm ever lost then I just let Athena sniff me and she'll lead me straight away. However, this safari that I'm on doesn't allow one to bring others. It's a journey that only you can participate in in order to reach the destination that will make your trek worth it.

Once I reach the 'end' I'll experience a pride and gratitude that will make me appreciate the difficulty of the safari. Are we there yet? Nope. Not even close. Am I enjoying the adventure? Absolutely. Do my resources run low now and then? Frequently.

I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Ha! 'Grow Up' does anyone ever really grow up? For years I wanted to be a psychologist. I got to my psychology class and hated it; the scientific, structured, memorization type of learning was not for me. I did, however, like the emotional aspect of psychology: the emotional analysis, the inner healing, working through one's issues by looking inward, etc. I am now a Social Work major. But is that really what I want to do? I don't want to be at a desk all day. I want to feel and know that I am actively doing something that is important and making a difference. I've thought about becoming a lobbyist for a group that I support and believe in. Lobbying world-wide for women who are still oppressed, sexually mutilated, murdered in honor killings, earn less in a career than a man of the same caliber, etc. Maybe I'd lobby for a group like PETA. I have a very tender spot in my heart for animals and to know that they suffer for our own pleasure makes me sick. With either one of those careers I would truly feel useful and productive. I want to invoke change. Does that translate into being a writer or campaigner in DC? Maybe a yoga teacher invoking change inside a person to take better care of themselves.

The hardest part is not knowing. I'm sure I could be happy doing any of these careers. Happiness is a state of mind; you create your own happiness. But which one will I really love and be truly passionate about? I have no option but to continue in the path my education is taking me right now and hope that I don't waste resources (time and money) on different paths in the trail (credits) that I won't need at my final destination.

The end is there somewhere even if its never really 'The End' because there will always be something worth striving for.

Love,
Kxoxo