Project Pumpkin

First off, you're never too old to dress up for Halloween.

Secondly, today was also Reformation Day. Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses 494 years ago today. (Random fact of the day.)

Thirdly, the street my college is on goes all out for Halloween. I seriously felt like I was in Halloween town. It was fantastic. My school has a community event called Project Pumpkin. We give out candy and have fun activities for all the kids that come by. It also gives us a great excuse to dress up.

I didn't take too many pictures because it was dark out, and I really dislike flash.

My friends and I dressed up as the gang from Scooby Doo. What's funny is that the characters all fit our personalities pretty well. It was fun dressing up!

xo,
Katy

Happy Thursday

It's officially Thursday, which means tomorrow kicks off the weekend. Happier words have never been spoken.

Okay, that's an exaggeration. This has been a crazy, hectic, wonderful week!

SOOC

I've been listening to a lot of Nickel Creek lately. Their music just seems to go hand-in-hand with fall. I also have a ton of ideas for stories brewing around in my head, I just haven't had the chance to get them down on paper. (Or should I say a screen?) I hope I'll have time this weekend, between senior sessions and laundry.


This song really describes my life right now.

Have a happy Thursday!
xo,
Katy

the leaves; my life

Things have changed. Like the leaves on the trees, my life has turned deep red, and I've slowly fallen apart. Each piece of my sanity has drifted to the ground on a cool breeze.

I am bare. My branches are naked against the cold.

But already, already! Things are changing for the better. After the winter, buds will sprout and new leaves will appear, green and healthy.

Dying, being broken down, being vulnerable--it's all a part of life. God uses those tough situations in our lives to make us better people. And even though we might feel alone and barren, God gives us something to hold on to. Just like He blankets the bare trees with snow on dark winter nights, covering them, hiding their nakedness.

Even though the leaves might be falling outside, God is renewing me daily. I am not dying inside, but rather, I am alive.

xo,
Katy

Kittens!

My sister's sweet tabby cat, Lizzie, had kittens a few months ago. They are the fluffiest, sweetest, most playful kittens I have ever seen.

It's no secret that I'm a huge cat lover. For obvious reasons, we can't have them in the dorm. I wish I could take them all home with me! I'll be a bit sad when she finds homes for them.

I hope y'all have a lovely Sunday. I think I'm going to take a cat nap.

xo,
Katy

the required post about fall

It’s cold tonight.

I can see my breath

Tinged orange from leaves

Reminiscent of death.

Death of an old life

Tinged by sorrow

Held in your grip

With no strength to borrow.

I can breathe again;

The cold wind on my skin.

The leaves underneath

My small, tired feet.

A good book and some coffee,

A Bible and pen,

Are all a girl needs

To let happiness in.

Today has been a good Friday. I had Chick-fil-a for lunch, worked out, played ultimate frisbee, had Buffalo Wild Wings for supper, watched Forrest Gump, went to Sonic, and watched Nickelodeon shows on youtube, all with my lovely friends, of course.

At one point today, I found myself with my arms stretched out, eyes closed, my face towards the sun. The wind was cool on my face and I was completely oblivious to everything going on around me. Fall always seems to have that effect on me. I become more reflective; the smallest things start to make me happy.

Fall is also a melancholy time, even if it is my favorite season. November is drawing closer and I can almost feel my body rebelling against it. November and I are not friends. I love October, I love December, but please just let November pass me by.

Maybe I'm being melodramatic. Regardless, I'm going to enjoy earl grey tea and brown sugar cinnamon poptarts. I'm going to read, take pictures, and enjoy time with my family and friends.

I would also like to point out that these photos are from last fall. The trees haven't changed quite enough yet this year to take pictures!

xo,
Katy

i am katherine

I am Katherine, though I think of myself as Katy. I love Jesus, more than anything. His love and grace are what define me. I've been called to minister to the brokenhearted, and share the wonderful hope that they can find in Christ; the wonderful relationship that they can have with the Almighty Creator of the universe.

I look like I'm sixteen and act like I'm twelve, though I only have two short months left to be a teenager. I work as an intern at a publishing company. I'm really, really passionate about the English language. I've played the piano for fourteen years, and I'm a published writer. I love graphic design and have done logos for a few different companies. I shoot with Canon.

I'm an introvert, but I love people. I'm prone to very hyper moods. I'm a little bit spastic and crazy. I love creative things. I'm obsessed with Duke basketball and American muscle cars. I want to be a rally racer, a meteorologist, an author, a genius, and a missionary when I grow up. I love science fiction and fantasy books. I want to live in Middle-earth. I should have grown up in the 60s and 70s; I constantly listen to folk music. I like wearing dresses. (I have to, every day for school.) I attend a small Christian college, though we're becoming quite well known in academic circles. When I get really excited I talk in a southern accent. I took ballet, gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball, and volleyball as a kid.

I'm perfectly fine with my brown eyes. I write bad poetry. God has blessed me with the most amazing friends. I hate texting and I like sharpie pens. Bacon is my favorite food.

This is me, this is who God made me to be.

xo,
Katy

my mom, the artist

I come from a very artistic and musical family. My dad has played in many folk and bluegrass groups. He's also owned a recording studio and used to make pottery. My mom was a teacher, a cook, an interior designer, a florist, as well as an artist. She was an excellent sketcher, but her paintings were absolutely beautiful.

I was out rummaging through our garage today (because that's my idea of fun...) and I found a few of her paintings. Most of these are from the late 60s/ early 70s, which means she would have been around my age. Young and fun and newly married. I'm so much like her. (Just kidding. I'm not married.)

She's the one who taught me to draw. We would spend hours outside drawing whatever we could think of. She also got me really interested in painting. I think that foundation in art really helps me when it comes to photography and graphic design. 

Well, I'm off to a haunted corn maze with my best friend and a bunch of her college friends that I've never met. Oh fun!

xo,
Katy

On the Street Where You Live

Fall break begins tomorrow! Classes start an hour earlier than normal (Ancient Civ at seven in the morning is going to brutally murder me!) I have one midterm, and I'll finally be on my way home! I'm praying that I can stay awake for seven hours. Something tells me I'll be chugging coffee and stopping every thirty-minutes because of the coffee, eh.

I had some free time to myself tonight. I kind of just wandered around campus with my camera. The following shots are all SOOC. I get my computer back tomorrow, so I'll finally have Photoshop and Lightroom again. I have so many Senior pictures to edit and yearbook stuff to do. It's going to be a busy fall break!

Debussy <3

I don't think I've mentioned this, but I started an internship about a month ago at an award winning publishing company. I get to proofread all day long, and it's fantastic!

Also, it's been a year today since my grandma passed away, and my dad came home from a five month stay in the hospital. The Lord gives and takes away. I miss my grandma, but I am so blessed to still have my dad. 

xo,
Katy

It's Late, and I Don't Care

I'm writing this, because if I don't, I will combust.

It's funny how missing one person--one instance--turns into missing someone else; which turns into missing a whole group, which turns into missing a place, your childhood, happy times, and smiles. You miss the future you thought you had planned.

I instigated this, I should be happy. But I'm not. Because I must always blame myself. Because I would give anything to help you. I would do anything for you. Because that's who I am. I sugar-coat things in my mind. I think of the good things. I only pretend to be a pessimist; I'm a true optimist at heart, but only when it comes to other people. I do not see flaws in others, only in myself.

Which explains why I put up with so much abuse: I don't see it. My mind and heart were made to give grace. I make allowances for others when no one else does. Great qualities, to be sure, but not when it breaks you down, not when it sets you up for great hurt to yourself.

Sometimes you have to be selfish.

I blame myself.

But you know what? It's not my fault. I'm human and I make mistakes, but I was good; I was good to you. I forgave and gave grace when no one else would have.

I've been in denial these past few days (should I say years?) I'm stepping out on faith here. I've been too comfortable, willing to settle because I'm afraid of what lies ahead.

I won't settle. Someone will respect me enough someday to not ask me to change the things that are out of my control.

I'm a co-dependent. I have OCD, clinical depression, and an anxiety disorder. I'm needy and crazy, but someday, someone will love me for that. They'll look past all of that and see me for the person I am.

I am not defined by my imperfections, but rather by who God created me to be.

Blame It on This Southern Weather

Oh goodness, the leaves are beginning to change here in Tennessee! The street my college is on is absolutely gorgeous in the fall. So many pretty trees and historic houses. It's wonderful.

I was looking through photos from last October, and found the one above. I thought it was pretty nifty. I also found the following picture:

Notice the Hunger Games in the background. <3

My hair was super long. (for me...) I was also rocking some pretty sweet suspenders at the time.

This has been a pretty rough week for me. I'm really struggling with the direction God wants me to take in life. So I've basically cut off all ties (and relationships [er, relationship]...not what I wanted to do, but it's necessary at the moment to more clearly hear God's will.) Pray for me? I also, most likely, failed my surprise aural theory midterm. I won't even go into that!

My closest friends and I decided it would be fun to go downtown tonight, since this past week has been pretty crazy.

Downtown Nashville is a pretty, uh, interesting place at night. We didn't stay long. Sonic seemed like a much better option.

I'm going to a pumpkin patch with my sister and nephews tomorrow. I'm excited! Lots of photos to be taken. :)

xo,
Katy

Ranting.

Fight for me,

Pursue me.

Love me and hold me,

Please, anything but use me.

There is someone better for me,

And yes, better for you.

Our dreams are the same,

But it's the day-to-day living

That's making me insane.

I thought that it would break your heart

To see me leave like this.

After two years lost in love,

I cannot regret each kiss.

I guess I just wanted you to fight for me. 

This month, it's been three years since my mom was diagnosed with cancer; a year since my grandma passed away and my dad came home from five month stay in the hospital.

But you don't even know.

Things You Oughta Know

It's time for another round of "Things You Should Know!"

1. I got to sleep in an extra 45 minutes this morning! Always a great start to the day.

2. My school is hosting a missions conference today and tomorrow. No classes, preaching/seminars about missions? You better believe that I'm totally pumped!

3. I got to see Tyler this weekend. As we were driving to lunch he said to me "You are way more passionate about English than most people." To which I replied "I LOVE GRAMMAR!" Well, it's true.

4. I took my friend Jack's senior photos this weekend. We had a ton of fun walking around downtown Nashville, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous!

Batman building! The most recognizable skyscraper in Nashville's skyline.

5. I still don't have photoshop and lightroom, due to my computer crash, so all photos at the moment are basically SOOC, with a little bit of added contrast. It's definitely forcing me to take better shots.

6. Fall break is in nine days! Freak out!


xo,
Katy