So I have to admit, I'm a total Miley Cyrus fan. Not Hannah Montana so much, but Miley. The Climb is on repeat. This song hit a soft spot with me a couple months ago, and I believe it's back. Along with a side of boldness I tapped into back in February.

I wrote the letter. I signed the promissory. I crossed the T. I dotted the I.

Things are happening very fast. I can't decide if I like it or not. I don't want life (college) to pass me by, but life just moves quicker than I can take it in sometimes. I have so many things I want to do I kind of feel like college is in the way. But, things like being involved in IGAEA, SGA and the possibility of a Christian sorority (another story, another time) make me happy, and make me never want to graduate. (Hah, well it looks like I'll at least get another semester of (sarcastic) bliss because I won't be graduating until December 2011 instead of May.)

Today was thoroughly exhausting.

I'm in love. That's all I'll say.

I have to express to blogger and viewers (again, all 2 of you) how much I love that I bought the older version of my HR book. The chapters are exactly the same. And $11 rental vs. $156 purchase? UM, no thoughts about it. Although, I do have to copy the case studies from an amigo. But it's all good. I have 2 willing amigos. :-)

"You make it easy. It's easy as 1,2,..1,2,3,4..."

- - - - -

The Climb lyrics (*bold added by me!*)
Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;
I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

COUGARS ARE #12!!!!!

So last night UH defeated Texas Tech with an awesome 29-28 finish. AMAZING! Monday is going to be awesome with everyone so pumped up about it still! <3<3<3

what is wrong?

I look at you profile and see posts from her. Why does this hurt?
I hear your phone ring and see her name. Why does this hurt?
Why do I let it affect me?
I have 100% faith in the fact you're mine forever.
I trust you, I really do.
But I'm uncomfortable.

I'm strong, and I'll do what I have to.
I'll make do, I'll be cordial.
But I can't promise that I'm "ok" with everything unfolding this way.

I can't tell you who to be and who not to be friends with.
It's not my place, it's not fair.
That's not the type of girlfriend I want to be.

Please just do what you think is best, don't just try to please me.

Sticky situation.

lazy or smart?

It's 12:51 and I'm sitting in my car outside my apartment online because I needed internet access to get the paint colors from my email. Honestly, being in here is not much different than being inside there, now. At least in here I can sit in a chair.

This is really depressing. I mean, I know I have to focus on the future. I know it will be worth it. But making these "adult, mature" decisions and actually going through with it is so freaking hard. A big part of me just wants to say forget it all! I'm moving back in here! I realize that's ridiculous and impossible, and stupid - but it's what I want. I'm 20 years old and while I know I need to think about things that are going to happen soon-ish like our wedding, house, etc... I just want to be fun-having college student! I don't drink, but I want to party. I don't have many friends but I want to go out. I want to save my money, but I want to do things on the weekends.

And don't even get me started on my issues with actually living at home. This weekend was just a taste, and it was very sour.

- - -

In other news, I am feeling very emotional this week. I have so much to do it's crazy. I was reading Sara Jones (Ogle)'s blog and it just made me cry. Jude's birth story is amazing. Her water broke on the way to pick up her husband from the airport??! That's insane, but from the way she writes about him, he seems like an amazing guy. It's so refreshing to see real love instead of divorcees and bridezillas. (I was watching that show last night.)

I wanted to write this blog to say how amazing and supportive and helpful Daniel has been through all of this - but it didn't end up that way it seems. But he really has been great. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be moving home. I know that's contradictory to everything I just said in the first paragraph, but I know it will be beneficial later.

I don't know - I have to go paint and get crackin' - - I have class at 4 and need to do an assignment before that as well. If I stay here and write I'll just think too much about how it will suck next week not being able to sit here in my car and blog. See, I'm thinking too much already.

busybusybusy

MONDAY
9-11: Graphics Production Lecture
11: Meet with Jack about SGA Website
4-5:30: Organizational Leadership and Supervision
6:45: The Point at Jason's Deli!

TUESDAY
9-6ish: Workin'
7:30: Meet with Sam W about joining Sigma Phi Lambda

WEDNESDAY
9-12: Graphic Production Lab
1: Meet with Christine from AMLI to do unit walk through before we move out
4: Meet with Dr. Evans to discuss work dynamics
5:30-7: Human Resources

THURSDAY
-Last day at AMLI.- :(
8:30-11: Test Open (Org. Leadership)
6: IGAEAUH Meeting - Speaker; Janice Freeman

FRIDAY
9-3: Digital Photography
3: Meet again with Colby and Chenlong about our 45 min. HPMA presentation

It's our last week in our apartment. I think I'm more upset about it than Aijah, which is truly kind of freaking me out. But I will have to elaborate on this in a later post because I have to go to sleep because as you can see I've got an incredibly busy week ahead of me. (On the floor, because we moved everything back to Katy on Saturday.)

Renaissance Girl!

I am officially now a hairdresser, makeup artist, and a photographer!

Click here for my Homecoming 09 Pictures of Emmalie and Gaby!

sleepytiredfatigued

I feel like I am always constantly tired and literally fighting to keep my eyes open. This is a sign of anemia, they say. Maybe I should start taking vitamins.

In other news, I am getting so involved on campus (and in life, I guess) this year.

• I'm a senator. This requires bi-weekly meetings, but it's so much more than that. I'm co-chair of the Student Savings Program Task Force. That's going well, but it is kind of frustrating because I kind of feel like I'm not getting much response from other senators that want to participate. But it will be okay. There is also talk about me doing the SGA website, which I would LOVE. Also, I am up for nomination at the next meeting to be the new Vice Chair for the Student Life Committee because the other one (I can't even remember his name..) quit SGA last week.
  
• I'm the Secretary for IGAEAUH. (International Graphic Arts Education Association @ UH) This also requires bi-weekly meetings. I'm really trying to keep up with being involved with them because it's a great prep for my career and the people are really cool. Also, I really really want to be President next semester so I need to present myself as a good, organized, effective leader.
  
• I am also thinking about joining Sigma Phi Lambda, a Christian sorority. I'm not big into sororities, but I think that joining would be great for me spiritually. I don't have a big sphere of Christian influence in my life except for Sunday mornings and Daniel. And even then, I'm teaching on Sundays and honestly - Daniel and I have a lot of work to do in our spiritual relationship. (Don't think too much into this - we're doing just great, but I think we need to be even more God-centered and even more spiritually connected.) So, I have to create it. I need accountability.
  
• I am also trying to get involved with Cougars for Kids. I have a big break between my classes from 12-5:30 and would love to get involved in something worthwhile like helping at-risk elementary kids or sick kiddies at one of the hospitals in the TMC. Once I move home I will literally be stuck on campus during that time and there is only so much working out and studying I can do! So I think that would be great, and SO rewarding.
• Apparently I was also signed up to teach a Point group on Mondays, so that's cool.
• I also work Tuesday and Thursdays all day.
  
• And as I mentioned before, my classes this semester are intense and require a LOT of work.
  

BUT, I'm kind of concerned that I'm spreading myself too thin. I mean, I love being busy. I thrive on being busy, actually. But there is a thing as "too much." I do have the weekends off to study/sleep/chill, but still. I might have to give some of these things up. We'll see!

"Longest"

[I always title my posts before I write them. But that's like writing a book title before it's written. Usually I write about many things more than the title indicates. So, I've decided to title my entries after the fact from now on. This matters to no one but myself.]

I had a wonderful, teeny bit stressful Labor Day Weekend.

Friday was spent in class for the most part during daylight. It was a good class. I got my first real experimentation time with my new camera. Dumb me didn't figure out that the freakin' lens can be focused AND zoomed. Manual is SO much better than automatic. Although I can see the importance of automatic when you're shooting quickly. The night was spent with Michael and Mila. (So much cuter to call her Mila instead of Aijah when I'm referring to it with another M name, haha!) We made hotdogs at 2am, had a photoshoot at 3am, and finally crawled, or in Mila's case: stumbled into bed at 5am. It was a good, good night as the Black Eyed Peas said it was going to be.

Saturday AijahMila and I woke up and got ready to head home. I took some boxes and some things to donate home so this whole moving process will be easier. It's positively dreadful though. This is the fourth time we've had to move in 2 freakin' years. Once into Bayou, once out of Bayou and home for two weeks. One into AMLI which was actually thoroughly enjoyable because I was so freaking excited, and now this time - moving back home. On the way home, Aijah and I went to Pappasito's and had what was in my opinion the best lunch ever. I owe her 18 dollars though because I am currently b.r.o.k.e. Dave Ramsey was forgotten this week, apparently. On the way to my house after that, I heard my car making a thumpy noise. I exited, and pulled over at the Room Store off Brittmoore and I-10. Turns out I had a flat tire! Awesome! So I call my mom and we find out that she did not renew my AAA like she thought she did. So, while I'm talking to her I have to pee so bad (because I drink ice tea like I breathe air) and decide to go into the Room Store to relieve myself. While still on the phone, I get my camera and Mac Book to put them in my trunk and because I'm distracted and flustered I LOCK MY FREAKING KEYS IN MY CAR WHILE IT'S RUNNING. Now, realize - this is the THIRD time I have done this! UGHH So instead of the $45 it would cost to change my tire, it cost $80! Seriously, it look him less than a minute to unlock my door, too. SO DUMB. And then! My debit card was declined for some reason, then Daniel and I's joint account got declined for some reason (must be on there end if neither worked) so I have to go into the Room Store again to get cash. Ughhh just a fiasco. And today, I found out that they DID charge the joint account. AND I gave them cash!! At the moment, I still have my little donut tire on my car and I have to go to Discount Tire tomorrow at 8 to get it all fixed again. Which means, I have to go in late, which means less hours, which is definitely NOT what I need right now! But anyway...that's life I suppose. But, when I got home, I got a lot accomplished on my room though. The closet is cleared out, and I have about 10 bags of stuff to donate, and another 10 bags of trash! Haha. It was baaad. But in my defence, my room wasn't even really mine - it became the dumpster for all "IDon'tKnowWhereThisGoes" the past two years since I've been gone.

Then Sunday, I went to church and gave Molly the adorable UH shirts I got for her. I really want one now, too. It's hot pink and has the simple athletics logo on it in white. Gotta get me some more money first, though! Daniel came over and helped me with my room some more.

Today, my mom and I cooked out on the grill. We had steak, sausage, macaroni salad, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Hah, we're so American. I don't know the need for macaroni and potato salad, but whatever - it was good! Daniel and Emmalie's non-boyfriend boyfriend Andrew came over. Danny and I somewhat finished my room too. I still need more black paint for the dresser and bookshelves, I need to paint the other 3 walls of chair rail, buy a huuuge pink rug to cover the ugly carpet and paint spots, and move everything else in! I'm giving Daniel my futon, too because he is currently bedless. Hah, poor thing's been sleeping on a mattress on the floor for months, now! After that I read 10 pages (not much , lol) in my entrepreneurship book and it actually wasn't that dreadful. I realized that I do have a test on FRIDAY though! Goodness. Didn't realize it was coming up that quickly!

Chelsea (Popp) called me today. She's transferring to UH and wants to do graphic design!!! That's exciting but she has no idea about the programs and stuff, so she's coming over tomorrow to see UH and so I can explain how it all works. It's confusing when UH offers 3 freaking programs for graphics! I also talked to my mom about going back to school and she said it's something she'd definitely want to do if she can once Emmalie graduates! YAY! That would be awesome, right?! Just imagine, me running a company with my mom! Haha. sweet.

Also, I've started farming again. The boredom of studying makes farming look just perfect. But now I'm so behind everyone haha.

I found these cuuuute rhinestone bobby pins in Emmalie's room and I might just have to steal ....uhhhh I mean BUY... them from her. Adorable. I would wear these things everyday, forrrealll.

I am still totally and completely in love with my DSLR. It's just wonderful.

Also, I wordled this post haha. Thanks Jamie! I even used it on my website!
www.katiemariedesign.com!

Picnik

It's weird when I log in to blogger (through Google <3) and it says I've only made 7 posts. I feel like I've made a lot more. But, whateverrr.

I'd like to talk about Picnik.com. It's amazing. Now, I've always been partial to my trusty Photoshop, and granted, I still am because it can do much more than this website can. But, when you want something easy, fast, and practical - this hits the center of the target without even aiming. You upload your pictures and can mess with saturation, brightness, contrast, etc. but they also have some pretty cool edits that without a graphic designer's mentality, you'd just leave out. Plus it's inspirational for us graphics peeps. I haven't even upgraded to premium and I think it's great. But, premium has even more features and best of all it is SO cheap compared to the incredibly pricey Adobe Photoshop.

I'd also like to mention Apple Aperture. It's pretty freakin awesome as well. It's much more advanced than iPhoto, and is a great content manager if you've got thousands of photographs like I do.

I need to get another external hard drive. I want a portable one. It still hurts to think about the other one getting stolen - but ehh, that's just life happening around me I guess!

I'm going to go back to Katy now with a loaded car so this whole "moving" thing can go as smooth as possible. I really don't want to go. Yesterday when I was cleaning out my closet and packing it up I just sat there for a moment thinking how much it sucks to have to go. I don't want to leave. For the first time during this whole ordeal, it was incredibly hard to convince myself that what I am doing is worth it. But, after a couple minutes, the "smart thing to do" thoughts did come back, and I sucked it up and started packing again. Sacrifice is a hard lesson learned, let me tell you.

<3

Friday

So it's 4:17 a.m. and I'm still awake. I came home from class today about 4:30, was asleep by 5:30 and didn't wake up until 10:30. Mikey came over and did his laundry and just now left. We had a very professional photoshoot at 3, haha.

ignore

im just trying something out