Creole Wisdom

hurt eye? go shop!

Yesterday after taking my contacts out my right eye started to hurt.  Not like, oh a little itchy hurt, but a full blown horrible, crashing pain.  I kept looking into my mirror to see if there was an eyelash stuck.  I figured I'd wake up and feel fine.  Wrong.  I woke up twice, once at 3am and again at 6am.  The second time crying.  When I closed my eyes it was so painful, and being exhausted I wanted to sleep so bad.  Strangely enough, when I put in my contacts I felt fine.  So, being that Sunday was my sorority's required initiation for the new pledges I just put in the contacts and planned to take care of it later.

I can't lie and say I wasn't worried.  I was terrified.  I am paranoid of something bad happening to my eyes- blindness, accident, anything... So all morning I was on edge.  As soon as initiation was over mom picked me up and took me to urgent care. Meanwhile Curtis is calling me worried and wondering and just being an all around sweetheart.

The triage nurse checked me in, and then I was quickly whisked off to a room.  This is the second time in my life I have ever had a health problem that required a visit to the ER or UC.  The doctor came in, put two numbing drops in my eye, then a drop of die.  She then turned the lights out (and this is the neat part) and got out this halogen light thing that resembled a giant flash light.  She checked everywhere and prodded... and would you believe it?!? nothing was wrong.  My eye by this point was actually feeling better, thank goodness.  And I left feeling thankful for a clean bill of health even if I was emotionally shaken up. 

So, after that mom felt I needed to get some new goodies.  I had to keep my glasses on all day, too, so that was a new experience since I usually wear them at night.  A little retail therapy was all it took!

The verdict: hot new pants (as seen in photo one) and the most delightful dress for Jana's bridal shower. 

life is beautiful. live.

One of my pet peeves at work is when I go to change a baby and there's gunk in their belly button.  Not like the umbilical cord residue that comes out on its own, but other stuff. Like, really? It would take .2 seconds to wipe that out.  Gross.  But, after pondering about belly buttons and umbilical cord residue I realized that it had been a long time since I'd seen that whole Miracle of Life movie.  You know, the movie they show you in health class senior year in which you cannot see a thing because *ahem* the mother does not groom.  Yes.  I just wrote that on my blog, but it's true.

So I went onto youtube, which is where I go when I want to watch anything.  I typed in "live birth."  And had to verify my birthday, should that of been a sign?

This one was not scary.  I saw that and said, "okay I think I could do that, it doesn't look too bad."  but holy #@*! this one was.  Wiping the blood out of the infant's eyes... ahh!

The verdict is I still love my job and I still want to have 5 kids.  Cuts or not (shudder).

east coast easter

So for Easter I spent most of my day in Mass. and the rest of the day traveling on 2 airplanes.  I don't think I'll ever choose to fly home on Easter again, not a happy experience.  In fact, I didn't even get home until 1am due to the plane having some sort of problem and then having to be re-routed.  All accompanied with my anxiety over loosing luggage.. Ahh! But on to the goodies.

An Easer ensemble:

The stockings and heels.  My favorite part of getting dressed up.

Something sparkly and red...

Can you tell that dad took this picture? I mean the background is so inspirational, TV and closet door.  I'm sure Ansel Adams would be breathless.  But you do what you need to do to get a picture of you!

And for east coast Easters, they have spakling water on the table.  It was so divine!

Boston Part II: On to the good stuff

So, with a not-so-good nights rest I was determined to make the most of my day in Boston with dad. Overall except for it being a bit windy everything was great. I have "done" Boston before (age 17, for about an entire week and then last spring break) so I didn't feel the desire to see everything again. There were just a few places and things I wanted to go back to and see again-

Boston was huge in the underground railroad, and they have 2 great walking trails (I have taken both). One of them, The Freedom Trail, I would really recommend if you go to this city. And of course, Sam Adams in front of the Faneuil Hall is a must see!

The city markets are another favorite. But watch out where you walk, the streets are original, old stone and jagged in parts. I think the letters for the market are so awesome- huge and gold!

Then onto what is most likely my favorite place in Boston: The State House. It is so fabulous, what a cool piece of history that we still have! I loved going inside and checking out the museum. Everything is very easy to navigate, and there's a lot of family friendly stuff. My dad smartly noted that "the curved staircase is a mistake, originally this building was built before they had them." Ha! But the building is not exactly as it was during the era of Founding Fathers, but at least they have preserved it (versus restored).

Driving back to our hotel to grab all our stuff, and then out again for Cambridge. I liked Harvard. It is so foreign to imagine attending a school like that- and I have to say, that as elite as it is they have very little green space for just chilling and relaxing. I guess that's what happens when you attend an old, city, ivy league school!

Harvard's COOP bookstore is a must see- so stocked full of cool books, magazines, Harvard gear, and even a coffee shop.

Aside from Harvard, Cambridge has some fun shops. I loved this bakery-cafe that had an entire pig theme- and stuff to buy that was all pigs, and very cute!

Now of course I had to end my time in Boston with some delicious key lime pie. It was pretty needed and just up my ally, especially after some amazing clam chowder.

I had such a nice time, and even though I'm back at school and ready for the rest of it all I cannot help but think that the next time I get on a plane I'll be going to Utah! Ya! So excited!

A little poem to leave you with:

"And here's to good old Boston
The land of the bean and the cod
Where the Lowells talk only to Cabots
And the Cabots talk only to God."

- Author Unknown

Boston: Part I (getting there is 1/2 the fun)

For most of the trip Dad and I have been staying up in a small town, about 2 hours outside of Boston. We stayed in town the first day, but it wasn't until Friday that we went back. So much fun.

So first we had to drive there (well, dad did all the driving). We went through about 3 toll booths (reason #359 that I love living in MN, although we're supposed to be getting them soon..ahh)

So, what do you do when you're bored in the car? Take a self portrait of course! And the sweatshirt is new from a cute store in one of the small towns we stopped in.

After driving for what seemed like forever we pulled up in front of (what we thought was) our hotel. Turns out we had driven to the wrong Marriot. Ha! Oh well, because...

The one we ended up staying at turned out to be gorgeous, and beyond belief. Really! It was such a beautiful, brand new hotel.

Really, it is one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever stayed in. The Marriots do a really nice job of designing, and since everything was spanking brand new it was even nicer!

And when I opened the drawer in the nightstand, what did I see?

Yes, a Book of Mormon. I knew the owners of the Marriot were LDS, but I didn't know there was a BOM put in each nightstand. What a great idea! So, of course I left my testimony (hope I got those websites right!)

So after settling in we headed out with one of our family friends "Aunt" Earline for a fabulous Lunch at Legal Seafood. Now, it is really wrong that I can't have 1/2 the menu and want it so bad, but after the barf situation earlier on this trip I am pretty sure I don't need to repeat that- But I could have the divine oysters...

After more fun, we headed back to the hotel to get a good night's rest.  Then, suddenly, around 4am the alarms went off. And they spoke. Something to the effect of (after the loudest ringing alarm I have ever heard in my 21 years, it could wake the dead) "there is an emergency. please leave your rooms.  if your floor has been effected we will contact you."  Of course I'm up and struggling to find a jacket and glasses and shoes and getting my dad up. Thinking the worst like there's been a terrorist attack or a fire and then I start shaking. Meanwhile the alarm just keeps on sounding, repeating again and again. Then, suddenly, it stops. I peek my head out the door and another bed-headed guest is out, too. I asked him if he knew what was going on and he said, no.  Then I called down to the front desk and would you believe it, "it was just a false alarm." Well, thanks for scaring the *%#! out of me!

swoon/356 text messages/1 love letter later

Been busy. Talking to this cutie: 

Don't mind his "tough" look. I think that was just for show.

More spring break/non-swooning photos & stories to come (I promise).

a little introduction

So, as promise here is Curtis. Is he not cute?

This kid is so nice.  Really, he is, and he thinks I'm hilarious/gorgeous/smart. What's more funny is that he poses in every photo, check it out...

See? He does pose. And you know, if you can pose for a picture you're a favorite of mine. After all, awkward stances are just that... awkward. When Curtis was serving here he always had the best ties. Look at the blue one? Really, it is so nice!

So, without further ado a little interview (Nie style, of course):

Where were you born/grow up?
Born in Provo Utah, lived there until I was 6 or so and moved to Elk Ridge (He loves the southern part of Utah, when I asked what he thought about SLC he noted, "she's nice" LOL)

Do you like it there?
I love it

Your favorite color?
It's a tie between red, black, and blue

Who are you voting for in 08?
haven't decided they all piss me off

What band do you like the best?
Linkin Park

Apples or oranges and why?
Oranges, they show you get great things after your work for them, unless you wan to cut your dreams up into slices .lol

So you served your mission in Minneapolis, was it cold?
Yeah, at least it was for me but it wasn't unbearable

Your dream job?
Concept Artist for Squaresoft or Squareenix as its called now

What are you planning on going to school for? (Major)
Graphic Artistry or Design, minor in photography

Where you do you see yourself in five years?
Happily married to the love of my life, one kid on the way, and a stable job to support them

How did you meet me?
I met Katie in the Dinkytown ward when I was called to serve there as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Some fun, random facts about Curtis:
•He is 1/2 Greek.  Nope, not my Greek, the real Greek.
•His bossiness can be attributed to the fact that he is the oldest of 4 boys
•Loves to wear the color blue
•Lives with two dogs and one cat
•Loves Chinese food
•Eats cheesecake on his birthday and was "depressed" last year (when Jana and I took him out) because he had to settle for just ice cream (albeit the best ice cream in the midwest, ba)

Éire go Brách

I may not be Irish, but I have a head full of curly black hair and a face of freckles so today I am. Happy St. Paddy's. What did you sport? I had a clover necklace and outrageous green headband. Really, it is so 1995 kindergarten school portrait. So I hope some luck snuck into your day, from this KathERINe to you.

And, get ready for the next blog entry where I will feature the charming Curtis (i.e. Elder D) in a little interview-photo montage so that you may get to know him a little.

where I went today

Sitting on top of a massive hill, that can be seen from the road is...

The Boston, Mass. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple. (And this is one of my favorite parts of traveling. Seeing new temples! Oh, and if you really wanted to know I am still Miss Barf as of 1am this morning. Yes, nothing is hotter than vomiting!)

 

the awkward traveler

So did I ever blog about how I have a love-hate relationship with flying/traveling???

Oh, how nice that I have the time to do so and after paying $5 million dollars to get a "great deal" daily internet pass in lovely Milwaukee! Do you wish you were here? I know you do.

So this morning, as I awoke in the perfect land otherwise known was Kolab/Minnesota/Heaven on Earth I felt excited for my special spring break trip. What I was not so excited about were the two hefty writing assignments due the day I get back. Why Lord, why? I like to get my work done before break, but with these two it was impossible, so alas I'll be doing homework over spring break. Sort of like a death sentence. But I will arise and get it done-

Back to traveling. Flying makes me anxious. How can it not? I get on the big ton of tin with fake bird-wings that wiggle (eek) and never know if I'll get off. I just have too much to do here on earth, and dying in a plane crash is not something I want to happen.

Last night, while talking to Curtis he remarked: you are kind of worried. do you think that at any moment something bad might happen to you? You are big on safety.

Uh. Actually. Yes.

I am big on safety. Safety as in: carry kleenex and water with you, have some mace, check the doors to make sure they're locked before going to sleep, hide your purse at parties, call friends to check up on them when they are walking at night, pack a snack, bring an extra pen, check out your surroundings, trust your instincts... Yes. I have a testimony of safety.

Thankfully, nothing horrible has happened to me, but the worst is when I fly. When I fly I:
•Feel like I could BARF all over myself, the motion sickness bag, window, and nice lady sitting next to me
•Am afraid to look out the window and see small houses/roads/lakes and think of how high I am
•Pee really,really, really fast in case the plane starts to shake while I'm in the bathroom.
•Worry that someone will snatch my laptop/purse/really awesome peacoat from the security line
•That someone stinky and/or too talky with sit next to me or that a closet racist will and all the time he/she will be thinking about how much they hate black people...

My list goes on and on. It is so irrational. I have been flying all my life. I am fine. But it is not on my list of things I do for fun.

No. no. I would much rather be somewhere taking pictures and drinking perrier.