Like a Winter Snow

Merry Christmas all my blogging friends and readers!

I can hardly believe that Christmas is actually here. I mean, I have been listening to Christmas music since September, scouting stores for the tiniest hint of Christmas decorations in the stores since October, flailing about all during November and vibrating during all of December. Now, all my months of dedication to waiting for this day will quickly come and go within a short period of twenty-four hours, but how wonderful this short amount of time will be.

Looking outside my living room window this morning, I noticed the gentle flutter of snowflakes dancing across the sky, announcing the birth of our Christ. It was a perfect way to begin this day, having a simple reminder that means so much. Even though this will be a day full of joy, laughter, and showing love for those we care about most, it is a day to rejoice because today marks the beginning of my own life. Today is the day to celebrate the Lord's birth and the birth of  life through him. And, after peeking through the freezer for some snacks it seems as though we picked up a birthday cake for Jesus.

So, among all the festivities today, remember to be thankful for what this day brings, for it brings new life. This is a day to celebrate life and the new life that Christ gives us.

And the cake we get to eat because of it. :)

Merry Christmas to all,

Katie M.


P.S. I'm also including a song sung by Audrey Assad and Chris Tomlin called "Winter Snow"  so check it out! :) 

How to Deal

No this isn’t about a Mandy Moore film, and if you don’t know what I am talking about, well then shame on you.

Here’s a visual  for those still baffled by my reference.

A week ago, I was sitting at the circulation of the desk, listening to Christmas music, creating the facade of working on homework. This was also the night that a good friend came to the front desk to visit me. Knowing me to be the bibliophile that I am, he asked me what I was currently reading. I held up my copy of John Updike’s short stories.

Now my friend is a deeply devoted Christian with a radical love for God. When he say what I was reading he asked me about the content and I was honest and told him how stories we were reading dealt with religious doubt and infidelity. He grimaced at my response. Then, ever so gently he asked me a question that I had not been able to answer for myself, let alone anyone else.

“How do you deal with it?”

I replied with what I thought should be the perfect answer—and after saying it, I wondered if I really followed this myself.

“Well, its not always easy, but sometimes when I’m reading something really difficult I pull out my bible and read scripture to help comfort me.”

This is not to say that I don’t do this, but I don’t think I do it as often as I should because there are many times when in those moments of reading harrowing literature that directly questions everything I believe in, sometimes, my Bible feels too heavy to pick up. Sometimes, I just want to rest in the tears and those struggles because they help me understand myself as a Christian. Sure it’s extremely difficult to know that some of my beloved authors had no faith, but I also grow from their perspectives, and sometimes I grow even stronger in my faith because they were brave enough to ask those questions. 

I'm in an interesting position as a lover of my faith and a lover of literature because there are times where it seems as though they cannot exist in tandem. Sometimes, reading literature troubles my heart, and it aches with the daunting questions that many authors have asked without receiving any answer. However, its in those moments of dread, fear, and sorrow that I am reminded that I am His and He is mine. It's in these moments that I realize that more than anything that all ,I yearn to be is the vessel for my faith, to write the fiction that will help expose my heart for God. 

I don't think I could ask for anything better. 

Getting Lost in the Literary Abyss

NaNoWriMo.

Yep, you read that correctly.

You are probably looking at this spastic collision of words and wondering what in the world I am going to write about. Some of you have probably decided that I'm a couple Crayolas short of a 96 pack.

National Novel Writing Month happens every year during the month of November. Writers from all over the world sign up to participate in a 30 days and nights of literary abandon (as the website states). What is this literary abandon I am speaking of?

It's writing a novel. In 30 days. No less than 50,000 words.

This sounds like my kind of crazy.

I am lucky enough to have comrades on my adventure. A couple of my friends that I go to college with are prepping for this month of literary craziness, as well. It's comforting to know that I might not be the only one with carpal tunnel, clothes soiled in ink, and consistent messy buns every day (flip hair over, gather it up, wrap hair with hair-tie. simple right?)

My next step is to finalize what I want to write my novel about. I have a couple thoughts, but ideas and thoughts of what you would like to see me write would be greatly appreciated. You can leave a comment on my blog or post it on my Facebook wall.

If you would like to join in on the month of literary abandon go to www.nanowrimo.org/

Happy Writing :)

And So We Carved Pumpkins

It may only be October 8th, but the next time I'm going to be home is probably Thanksgiving. Therefore, I took my Columbus Weekend Break to celebrate the fall in its fullest. I woke up early and headed out to the apple orchard with my mom, grandma and sister.Where there were 8 million people. Why am I surprised that an apple orchard during Columbus day weekend, on a day that was 75 degrees, was bustling full of people? I honestly don't know. People were walking in front of cars, elbowing each other to get to the front of the line and sitting on my lap so that they could take a picture of their kid next to a cornstalk. How festive.

So, I may not have been in the best mood. I will admit that I am sometimes adverse to large crowds. However, once my mother set a wonderfully delicious funnel cake in front of me, all of the world was right once more.

Then came the pumpkin carving. How do you celebrate the fall without pumpkin carving? You don't, so I conned my brother and sister into carving pumpkins tonight (it really wasn't that hard). However, this time the pumpkins didn't have silly faces that we enjoy cutting out when we were little. Now that were were much older, we took this art of carving a pumpkin seriously, and I had the best pumpkin ever.

The only pumpkin for me was Jane Austen. I think it turned out quite splendidly.

Now, I will finish my night by watching the new Jane Eyre because its the closest to scary as I'll ever get.



Happy Fall to everyone :)

How Many Books Have You Written?

Alright, lets not be too shocked here. I can see it in your eyes already, the hurt and the disappointment I have caused . "Where have you been?", you say to me. "Why haven't you written anything?"

I might be giving myself a bigger ego than I actually should.

For whatever reason there is, mostly ones that deal with a hectic life, I am back; I really am, and quite honestly I'm happy to be back. I've been trying to figure out a way to take the plunge back into writing after being on hiatus for so long. I mean, what do I say to those who haven't seen my posts in months?

For those that wonder what happened during by absence (aka summer vacation), all I did was work forty hours a week, running to find PVC pipe fittings and coping saws. If I wasn't doing this, I was sleeping. Or thinking about the newspaper where I am currently Editor-in-Chief.

When that gig ended, I packed up my belongings and headed back to good ol' Bobby Wes for junior year. From then on its been classes, work, homework, and working on the newspaper. That's my life in a nutshell.

(This is where I take the plunge and get right back into it, even if I'm only diving in a pool that's four feet deep.)

 Many of you know, as most of my readers are aquaintences and friends, I am a book fiend. I can't live without books and I love to write. Well, I love to write blurbs that don't add up to anything.

[Enter in enlightening situation]

The other day I was sitting in my Argumentation and Debate class which a wonderful friend and I were talking about how short I am. I can't even sit at the chair they place at the front desk of the library without having my feet dangle. My younger brother towers over me. (Please note that he is 6'3" and I am 5'4", but don't let that deter you from any sympathy for me.) My professor then turns around and explains how my shortness will help in the the long run because I will live a longer life. I replied, "Good, then I can write twelve more novels then most writers would."

The next question is so obvious. I mean how can you say this and not get this question back. But, there I am, sitting there and my professor asks, "How many books have you written?"

Now this didn't phase me one bit. Here I am, bosom friends with Anne Shirley, confidant to Elizabeth Bennett, chums with Georgia Nicholson, the fifth sister of the Traveling Pants, spouting off how I will win the Pulitzer Prize and I have the  most brilliant answer to my endeavor and dream of writing a book.

"I have a lot of ideas."

Seriously?

You would be correct in assuming that I wanted to fall in a hole.

After class, I couldn't stop thinking about why, in fact, I haven't written anything yet. Beginnings of books, characterizations,  poems, short stories, sure. But, a complete novel. Not even close.

Let's just say that this lit a fire under my plus-sized tush to actually start thinking about what I would write. And the same voice kept coming back to me; the same girl who has been talking in my head for about a half of a year. Don't worry; talking voices to a writer is essential, even if others think we are crazy.

Which we are.

Now, I am continuously writing down thoughts that come to my mind, scribbling out poems and ideas that I have, even if it is right through the middle of a discussion on St. Augustine. I didn't really do this, but its the thought that counts. I'm giving this whole writing a book thing a shot. Hopefully, it doesn't take me too long to get there.

There we are; I made the plunge and I didn't hit my head on the bottom. It may have been a bit chilly for the first couple minutes, but now I'm just wading through my words once again.

Until next time...

I Was Made For Sunny Days

I have officially been home for one month. It only feels as though a week has passed. I couldn't believe when I saw June 7th glaring at me in the face today. Pretty soon I'll have my boxes packed up and I'll be heading back to the Rochester area for another fantastic year. But, for now, I think I will enjoy all the sleep I am getting and let the days of tomorrow drift into my unconsciousness.  

It is also my day off and thank the Lord. I needed it. I need a break from plywood and screws. SEEING AS THERE ARE 8 BILLION DIFFERENT KINDS OUT THERE.

Excuse me for the outburst. Its been building up for a while.

Now let's get down to business.

I made scones. Yes, I dared to write it. The most beautiful accessory to a cup of coffee or tea if I'm in the mood. Scones may be one of God's greatest gifts to us, all doughy and sweet and delicious. A few years ago I made lemon tarts and stuck a few raspberries on them and my taste buds sang a symphony of joy. They commended my on my impeccable taste. Ever since then I have been think of way to create that same delightful taste in a different way. And that is where making scone comes in.  


You bet your bottom those scones turned out to be wonderfully delicious.

Raspberry scones with a lemon glaze. AMAZING!! I could sit there and eat the whole batch especially with a glass of iced coffee.

What was even better was that I spent the whole time listening to The Weepies while I sifted, kneaded, and stirred. It's probably why they turned out so well.

That's all for today. I'm off to finish a book and soak up the sun. Well,  as soon as the tractor stops stirring up hay. I'm been eating mouthfuls since they started loading it up. Now I know how cows feel.

Bye!

Summer Lovin'

I'm so neglectful. I knew this would happen. My first blog is my testament to this. And my job. And my downright laziness. I will admit it. I'm sopping up the days where I can sleep in and then spend my days out in the sun, toasty warm, my skin sun kissed and smelling like coconuts supplementing my existence with large amount of coffee. Life is good.

It's time to book share again. I've been reading like crazy and summer lovin' every minute. Yes, I realize that's cliche. That's how I roll.

                                                             
 She wished something would happen.  And it did. Fabulous! I love this book. Everyone is saying that the Newberry winning are going down the drain but apparently they missed this book, because this book is incredible. Perkins does a really fantastic job at styling her book and and she pairs it with funky pictures. It's the ultimate mix between a picture and chapter book for older kids. So good.





      



Sarah Dessen did it again. I love this woman. She really knows how to write a good story. If you haven't read a Sarah Dessen book yet, then do yourself a favor and good pick yourself up a copy of one of her books. You won't regret it.

What I really liked about this book is that Dessen really has a nice fresh take on a story. For me, her previous book Along for the Ride was a little blah, sorta a same old story that Dessen writes. But there seems to be a new maturity with Dessen's character, Mclean which I really like. You can tell her work is evolving.

Alright, I'm off to get back in the sun and back to reading. More to come soon.

Says the girl who is lazy.

Someone had to say it.                                                                                    

Hammers, and Wrenches, and Saws, OH MY!

Today is my day off. I almost woke up with tears from the joy of not having to stand on my feet all day. Yesterday, around four in the afternoon, my feet were sending me all kinds of signs to sit down. I told my feet to shut up. In my head, not verbally. Then my feet sent shooting pains up my calves. They know how to play dirty. Anyways, my feet and I aren't on speaking terms but hopefully we can reconcile soon because I have to work tomorrow.

This is the part where you want to hear about my job.

Alright then, I will spill because you are all dying to know.

My dad laughed at me because I said that a customer was looking for a jacksaw. For those who are with me in having no idea what is in a hardware store, jacksaws don't exist.

But, jackhammers do.

So, that is how work went. I have a vague idea of what exists in the store and I'm a real expert when it comes to getting mulch. I am the mulch queen. They should make me a sash and tiara and dub me with a sword. They can call me Lady Alexandria of Mulch (part of the name of the town is Alexandria, so it seemed fitting). Other than that I am getting the hang of things. I know once I get everything down and get situated I will enjoy it much more.

Well, I am off to read, read, read because it is the reason for my existence, the reason I breathe, though that fact  that I would turn blue if I didn't suck in some oxygen might play a part in my reasoning, as well.

Until next time...

Smart Women Thirst For Knowledge

Its over. I have made it through finals week (like there was ever a doubt about it). All I have left to do is pack up the rest of my room and say goodbye. I still can't believe that another year of college is done and over, just like that. Now, I am walking away with a little sorrow in my heart for those I will miss but the warm memories I made tucked in my front pocket.

Then next year its off to finishing my English Degree (I'll still have a year of college after that) and being the Editor in Chief for The Beacon (our college newspaper).

I'll still be around this summer, with my new job and my newly acquired pink hello kitty fishing pole, writing about all the happenings in my life and maybe a few fictitious accounts that I've come up with myself.

Therefore, I leave you with the parting words my wonderful professor gave me yesterday on my favorite cup of all.

Coffee, anyone? :)

Finals Week

It's the week that all college students dread. The week when you have seven essays due, five tests to study for, and three presentations to give. The week where you wear a paper bag over your face because you have had no sleep or time to take a shower. The week where Starbucks and Taco Bell go out of business because you buy out the whole stinkin' store. Well, its Tim Hortons around this area. We don't get a Starbucks.

I thought that my finals week was going to be relatively easy. Six essays and one test to study for sounds sounds like a piece of cake. Ha, I'm so silly sometimes. Although, I haven't had to resolve to wearing a paper bag over my face. Yet.

For all of you studying, I feel your pain. I understand where your coming from. I also have Keurig, so if you need some coffee, you know where to find me. :)

I love garage sales

Yesterday, my sister Margaret and I went to a garage sale at a local church on campus. I had two dollars to spend, and it was spent well.

The blue bottle with the sun is going to be my new vase and the yellow cup my new pencil holder! And I got both of these for the price of $0.50.

Then, I picked up two Magic Tree House books that used to be my favorite when I was younger. That is some good summer reading right there and it was only $1.00.

So all in all I spent $1.50 which means that I have fifty cents to go on a shopping spree.

I love being a college student :)

Keep On Lovin'

I have been hurt by people that I love. I have been let down but those that I care deeply about.

After it happens a couple times, it feels as though you've gone numb. You don't care about others anymore because others didn't care about you. But what happens in the aftermath? We have two choices: we can give up and let ourselves be numb or we can forgive and gain something from the experiences of our lives.

"God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient." (Colossians 1:11)

Life isn't always perfect and we can't expect the people around us to be either. I believe that there is a place that I can go where I will be strengthened. We can't put all our hope in others; think of how unfair that is to have all those expectations placed on your shoulders. However, what we can do is realize that there is a greater strength within ourselves that is much more powerful than anything a person can ever give us.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

What I am beginning to realize is that I find my strength in God when I learn to love myself as the wonderful creation he has made me. So many times, I go looking for love in others to make myself feel as though I am worthy in the world's eyes. They are many times when I feel low because I have no one around me, and while it is important to have relationships with others, we need to realize that our self-worth doesn't come from our relationships. It comes from within, everything that God has already given us to become the beautiful people we are meant to be.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive and the Lord forgives you." (Colossians 3:13)

One thing you can't forget, after getting past the hurt and finally learning to really love yourself is that you need to forgive others, because I guarantee you would want them to forgive you when you mess up. Forgiving those that you have loved and been hurt by means realizing that we as humans are not perfect. It also means that you realize that you cannot rest everything on one person because that isn't where we are suppose to rest everything upon. When you can do this, you'll find that loving isn't so hard to do and keep on doing.

This is a lesson that I have learned today. That everyone around me can't be my crutch. We need to love others for who they are and love ourselves for who we are. That's good enough. God believes your good enough. And that's all that matters.


-Katie

The Semester That Never Ends

I have a week and a half left of college before I can bust open a can of bubbly (soda, people! honestly....) and say "Bon Voyage!" to my second year of college. As for now, I am reading books and writing essays. What a wonderful life. So, being the veracious readers that you are, here are a couple books that I am reading and am more than willing to share with you.

The first time I read this book was my freshman year of high school. I love this book with all my heart, and it helped me, being the fabulous plus-sized lady that I am, love myself for who I was. It's hysterically funny, and you will be wishing that Virginia Shreves was your best friend by the end of this book.







My mother just bought me this book for Easter because she is so brilliantly smart and knows that best gift to get me is a book. She also asked me what I wanted and I told her to go find this. Nevertheless! I also liked this book as well. Andrea Seigel has wonderful humor and it gives a wonderful perspective on family relationships.




Happy Reading to you all! :)

It's time to share

I'm so excited for my easter break coming up. I really need this one. While I'm taking a break from homework, I wanted to share a piece of poetry that I just wrote for my creative writing class. I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think. Comments always make me smile :)

I Remember, Mama

I remember twirling with the Rosas, Mama

            each of us rising up from the earth

            my petticoats spread out in full bloom

            just like my flowery friends

I remember how I hurt you, Mama

            stealing my petticoats from the closet

            knowing they were meant for Sunday

            knowing he would be mad

I remember the anger that night, Mama

            watching you fall towards me in synchronized grace

            with the white rubble of a broken wall

            guilt rose up within me

I remember how he cried, Mama

            limp in your lap while he begged for absolution

            you folded your arms around him

            and he pushed you down, Mama

            and you sunk back into the ground

I remember running through the fields, Mama

            surrounded by bright crimson Castillejas

             strangling everything around them

            pushing them back and killing them

I remember looking at the purple neck, Mama

            Daddy had painted it

            shoving his fingers into your soft flesh

            pushing you down

I remember picking flowers that day, Mama

            each delicate blossom begging for its life

            while we ripped them from their roots

            we took them from the earth

I remember when he called, Mama

             you pleading with him one last time

            while he scream through the phone

            ripping you from your roots

I tried to push up through the ground, Mama

            just like our flowers did

            but I couldn’t

            our flowers were limp in their glass shell

            their blossoms withered and black

           

I remember watching the snow fall, Mama   

            each flake a frozen droplet

            that had fallen from your face

            piling in heaps everywhere

I remember feeling so lonely, Mama

            running everywhere

            looking for the only friends I had

            wishing to see they faces

I remember brushing your tears away, Mama

            my little companions frozen

            into skeletons of what had been

            and I screamed in agony

I remember falling into your tears, Mama

            you and me falling in synchronized grace

            I wanted your tears

             to swallow me up

            and let me rot into the earth

I remember how spring finally came, Mama

            I sat upon the window sill

             waiting

             to rise up from the earth

I remember that you grab my hand, Mama

            begging me to come

            but I couldn’t

            I hadn’t risen

I remember you picking me up, Mama

            my tears soaking your dress

            that was covered in flowers

            while you dragged me from my perch

I remember you setting me down, Mama

            letting my toes sink into the earth

            pulling my hands away from your skirt

            while you pushed me forward

I remember that’s when I saw them, Mama

            the Liliums were everywhere

            smiling at me,

            They wanted me to rise

                        Oh, how I wanted to rise, Mama

I remember the tears falling down my face, Mama

            sprinkling down like heavenly rain

            watering the Liliums pushing up in the earth

            telling them to rise

I remember how those tears made me feel, Mama

            they sprinkled down on me

            watering my soul

            whispering to me

                        They wanted me to rise, Mama

Then you grabbed my hand, Mama

            I looked at you

            you were watering your soul too

            I knew you wanted to rise

                        Oh, how I wanted you to rise, Mama

Now I know, Mama

            there was something deep within myself

            bursting through the earth

            unfolding into new life

                        and I rose

                        I rose with you, Mama

All My Plus Sized Ladies

I am a proud plus sized lady. Not that it has always been that way. I have had my struggles. My Anger. My comfort food bonanza when I am mad about my size which is quite ironic. Obviously. But, through the roller coaster of emotions, the tears, and the the conflict within myself, I always emerge with a little bit more wisdom and a kick butt outfit.

One of the things that I find hard, being the plus sized woman that I am, is that it can be difficult to find stylish clothing. However, all my plus sized ladies, do not fear! I have found a safe haven- a place where I can giggle with insane happiness because the clothes are so beautiful and make me look like the goddess I was born to be.

Forever21 is now carrying plus sized clothing and have been doing so for a short time. I have been shopping at Forever21 since high school, when I was small enough to be able to wear a large, which is the biggest size they normally go up to. Now as a college student, not only I have gained knowledge but a couple of extra pounds, as well. I use the word couple loosely. Very loosely... so loose my pants would fall off.

Ahem, TMI.

So, the good news!

I have found a place to completely redo my wardrobe at a completely affordable price and I am ecstatic. Allow me to share some of my good finds with you.

 Cute, right?

But wait, it gets better...

Yea, they are fabulous. So fabulous that I am wearing them as I type this little blurp. 

Well, that is it for now. I have six books to read for classes this week and while I am an avid reader, I'm not too sure I'm digging all the page flips I'll be participating in this week. 

I Work Hard for the Money

As college students, we pay out the wazoo for our education. Some is covered by the government, some if its covered by scholarships, and some of it is covered out of the wads of cash in your pocket. Ha. Brilliant. Last time I looked in my pocket, all I had was a gum wrapper and beeswax lip balm. Therefore, I need a job. Hence the reason why I work at a library during the school year. However, when the second semester comes to an end and the college tells me to scat, the dough stops. No more nights of racing through the stacks looking for "the book," the one that will change your research paper forever. No more searching for articles that don't exist. I will miss putting the books back, though. I would alway come out with a good five books I would check out. But I digress. 

Anyways. College = need for money, which I don't really have. Money, that is. Therefore, I need a summer job. 

I got one. 

Drum roll, please.....

I am working in a hardware store. 

Yep, I did not write that by mistake. 

I will spend my summer working with my dad at a hardware store as a cashier. My dad called me the other day to talk about said job and he told me that I would have to take quizzes so that I could learn what they sell in a hardware store. 

"Dad, I know what a hammer looks like." 

My Dad's rebuttal was that while it was a start, I wouldn't be able to talk about 19th century Victorian Literature with the customers. 

I told him I was going to start a Jane Austen Book Club in the warehouse. 

So, my worries are over. I have a job. It should be quite interesting, watching the girl in skinny jeans and converse shoes run around looking for nails and whatnot. 

The Duct Tape of All Duct Tapes

Young people seem to have an incredible fascination with duct tape, and why not? It's durable, it patches up anything, and it comes in almost any design you want.

Literally.

This was one of the gifts I got from my boyfriend for our one year anniversary. I mean what says I love you more than Hello Kitty duct tape?

I am ecstatic that I now have the means to tape my whole world with Hello Kitty. Notebook covers, boxes, splitting folders, my walls now all have the ability to be Hello Kitty-fied. Well, except the walls. I don't think housing or my roommate would be to happy with me.

I hope you all have a great Sunday.  I'm off to finally get some laundry done.

The Art of Blogging

I have tried blogging before. I have tried to share my thoughts with the Internet world numerous times. Somehow, the burning desire (though I'm not really sure it's this intense) to let the world peek into my brain has been blown out. It must have been my mother. Blowing out my flame, that is. She says I have more productive things to do or that the dishwasher needs to be unloaded. When I have my own house the dishwasher will serve two purposes: to wash the dishes and to be a make-shift cabinet for all my housewares. Talk about brilliant thinking. That's why I go to college.

And, that's why I can blog now without being told I'm not productive or worry about the stinking dishes. Instead, I sit in  class or at my job most of the day. When I'm not doing said activities, I am doing scholarly work such as working on a Beatrix Potter research paper or trying to understand the violence being used in journalism. Let me tell you, it doesn't get much better than that. Well, sleep would be better because I don't get any. The bags under my eyes look like they went on a shopping spree.

I also started a blog today because my good friend Sam told me she started a blog. Fifteen minutes ago. Since I am on a Facebook fast right now, I was feeling a little left out on the Internet. So, I am setting out to blog once more. Buckle in folks. This adventure is about to begin.