graduation and future things

 

 Can you guess what I did this weekend? Oh yeah! I graduated magna cum laude with my BA in English and Theological Studies! That's what! This was a day five long years in the making. And it was a great day, indeed. A few highlights of the day:

• I forgot to bring my camera. Hence the sad cell phone photos. 
• We had forty-something graduates this year. Which is a lot when you consider how small my alma mater is.
• I managed not to trip while walking across the stage.
• All of the ladies had to pin their collars into their gowns. Mine was very, very crooked.
• I broke my honor cord and my shoe right before we lined up for the processional. 
• I only cried like...twice.
• My dad gave the invocation, which I amazingly didn't cry at.
• Alberto Gonzales, the former US Attorney General, gave the commencement address. It was fantastic. This also brought the number of Attorneys General I have been in the same room with up to two.
• It doesn't matter what the weather is like leading up to graduation, or what it's like after--it's always insanely hot and humid. This year stayed true to form. Which was fun, considering I was wearing seventeen layers of black.

After the ceremony, my dad took my sister and I out to lunch at a seafood place on the river. My sister got me gluten free cupcakes from Vegan Vee, and they were the best cupcakes I've ever had--no lie. I'm not sure if Vegan Vee is that amazing or if I was just excited to be done with college and eating cake! 

Oh, here's a picture of my dad and mom being all cute after his graduation from our alma mater. 

So what's next? I've been asked that a lot lately. I already have a fantastic job that uses my degree, so I'm doing great in that regard. I am considering grad school, though if I do go, I probably won't enroll for a year or so. I'm looking at local colleges and online programs. I'm trying to decide between an MFA in Creative Writing, or an MA in English. There are pros and cons to each!

My more immediate plans include second shooting for and assisting a wedding photographer here in Nashville. That's going to keep me busy the next several weeks.

Oh, and I'm leaving for Northern Ireland in a month! I'm going on a music mission trip with my church. I'm so incredibly excited! Now, if only I can get all of my funds raised before our deadline in a week. I have faith that God will provide. He always does! :)

I'll be posting around here a lot more, now that life is finally starting to settle down some.

xo,

Katy

22 before 23

I've been really bad at following through with these lists in years past. (See here and here.) Maybe they feel too much like resolutions since my birthday falls so close to the new year. Whatever the reason, I really do want to accomplish the things on my list this year. I want to be more intentional about it.

1. Graduate with my B.A. in English and Theological Studies.

2. Move out on my own.

3. Donate my hair. (It's almost long enough!)

4. Save up enough money to upgrade my camera.

5. Join a ministry that allows me to minister to others on a weekly basis.

6. Learn how to budget.

7. Take up rock-climbing.

8. Grow my photography business.

9. Learn how to knit or crochet.

10. Paint three new paintings.

11. Go camping with friends at least twice.

12. Read fifty books.

13. Write at least two short stories.

14. Read The Silmarillion. 

15.  Blog at least twice a month.

16. Take active steps to worry less.

17. Read through the entire Bible.

18. Do something nice for a friend at least once a week.

19. Write an encouraging note to my heroes.

20. Meet a celebrity. 

21. Do something out of my comfort zone.

22. Be a tourist in my own city.

Yes, I realize that some of these are repeats from years past (uncompleted ones, I might add). But I think that they're things really worth doing. I'm going to try to keep up on my progress throughout the year as far as this list is concerned.

Here's to making twenty-two my boldest, most passionate, most selfless year yet.

xo,

Katy

Christmas break - reading list

As much as I love being an English major, I hate that I don't really get to read for leisure during the school year. I'm usually too bogged down in 17th century prose or detailed accounts of the Norman Conquest to read any modern fiction or classics outside the realm of whatever time period I'm currently studying. I think that's one reason I love semester break so much. Not only do I get to spend time with my family, celebrate the holidays, and sleep in my own bed, I get to read whatever I feel like reading. So here's a list of the books I'd like to read while I have the chance:

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Vampires in the Lemon Grove - Karen Russell
The Shadow Lamp - Stephen Lawhead
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
A Hemingway novel. (I know. As an English major, it's a crying shame I haven't read any Hemingway yet. I'm still debating over which book I'd like to read first. I like the plot summary of The Old Man and the Sea, but I've been obsessed with John Donne lately, so For Whom the Bell Tolls seems appropriate in that regard.)
The Song of Albion trilogy - Stephen Lawhead
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

I know this list seems a bit ambitious, but some of these I've already started, others I've read before (like the Song of Albion trilogy, which, if I remember correctly, was amazing. Stephen Lawhead is such an underrated author.) I also devour books. I used to get in trouble as a kid for reading through my books too quickly. I would have to take five or six books on road trips. Once I'm sucked in to a book, I won't stop for anything. It's probably not healthy.

xo,
Katy

inspiration

A short, inconclusive compliation of the things that have been inspiring me lately.

Black and white photos of The Beatles

 

The artwork of Matthew Taylor Wilson.

The music video for "Recovery" by Frank Turner

 

Iced Moroccan mint tea.

Seeing how my photography and personal style has changed over the years.

 

xo,
Katy

twenty-one before twenty-two

1. Hold an art show.

2. Visit every (good) coffee shop in Nashville.

3. Learn to knit.

4. Learn "Montagues and Capulets" by Prokofiev.

5. Visit a new country. (x2)

6. Go to the farmer's market downtown.

7. Attend a show at the Ryman.

8. Write something once a week.

9. Read through the entire Bible.

10. Watch all seven Harry Potter movies in a row.

11. Make a new friend.

12. Begin learning Spanish.

13. Get organized. 

14. Grow my hair out.

15. Make a stop-motion film. 

16. Become confident enough to share my songs.

17. Host a party.

18. Re-brand my photography business. 

19. Read Flannery O'Connor's anthology.

20. Visit the Grand Canyon. 

21. Go on a fancy date. (Read: find a boyfriend.) (Read: just kidding.) (Read: kind of.)

This list is one-part new years resolutions, one part birthday goals, and one part insane. I didn't get anywhere near to finishing last year's list, but I don't see why I can't at least attempt it again. And these goals are somewhat more manageable, as many of them are already in the works. Maybe it's cheating, but since this is my birthday list, I suppose I can make the rules. :)




Me and my sassy self are off to watch Nashville and try not to get sick.

xo,
Katy

november blue

 

So here's what's up with life at the moment:

First off, I've been a giant bundle of stress lately. I seriously have a problem with telling people "no." Thanks to this character flaw, I've ended up with entirely too much on my plate. I hardly have time to do the things I have to do, let alone the things I want to do. Thankfully, there are four weeks left in this semester. I'm really going to cut back on my commitments next semester so I can actually get the rest I need to function. I'm tired of pulling myself together and scrapping up enough energy to get through the day. I want to live. 

November is tough month for me. If you've been around here a while, you know this already. Super thanks to those of you who've been praying for me. I've been doing okay thus far...I've only had my reoccurring dream once, and only one random breakdown. It's hard to believe my sweet mom has been gone almost four years. I miss her like crazy.

Lately I've been trying to plan out my future. Instead of worrying about the things I have to do today I've been worrying about the things that might happen twenty years from now. Life just can't be lived that way. It isn't possible. Christ has given us hope for tomorrow, but He's also given us hope for right now. I've stopped stressing over what might happen, and have instead been asking myself what's the next, best thing I can do? 

My hair is long enough to wear in topknot. Squee!

I voted for the first time last week. I have peace about whatever happens tonight. 

Finally, I found out a couple of days ago that I'll be going to Spain and Morocco this spring! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that God has given me this opportunity. Pray for our team, the missionaries, and funds. I know God will provide, and I can't wait to see what He is going to do!

I leave you with this:





so,
Katy

RELIENT K

Relient K's music defined my formative years. I know that sounds super extreme and cheesy, but it's the truth. Middle school, high school, college...I've always listened to Relient K. When my friend JP and I heard they'd be in Memphis, we knew we had to go!

Some random kid from Belmont played first. He was...uh...interesting. I didn't take any pictures of him because really, his set was kind of bizarre.

William Beckett played second. You probably remember him from The Academy Is...and their one big hit "About a Girl." I thought he did a really fantastic job. I was never an Academy Is fan, but his solo stuff is pretty great. I think artists have to break out on their own to find their musical niche sometimes.

Hellogoodbye was up next. Honestly, the only song I knew was "Here (In Your Arms)." So, I sang along with that one, and tried to get into their new stuff. They've taken a more indie route, and it was rather nice.


 

Finally, after a three hour drive and two hours of standing in a crowded, hot venue, Relient K took the stage. I pretty much turned into a 12-year-old fangirl. But can you blame me, really? This is the second time I've seen Relient K live, and they did not disappoint! They played a ton of old songs, which made me giddy, because their old stuff is my favorite (we're talking Anatomy, Two Lefts, and Mmhmm here). They also played three new songs. Like, new new. Like hasn't been released yet new. Like ohmygosh I'm fangirling new. I died. It was wonderful, and I died.




 Fun Facts:

• I didn't take my camera... because I had to take my purse... because my blood sugar always goes low at concerts... and I couldn't fit a candy bar in my pocket. Hence the Instagrams.
• The unofficial name of the tour was There Are No Tater Tots for You.
• Matty T currently has mutton chops.
• We also sang "Happy Birthday" to Matty T because his 32nd birthday was the next day.
• Matty T references being 23 in "Maintain Consciousness." And I'm still not 23. And that song was released when I was 12. Whatever. 
• We stopped at a Burger King in Memphis. I asked for a Memphis BBQ Sandwich. They don't sell them there. I don't even.
• JP: "Do you want to listen to Mmhmm now?" Me: "Mmhmm."

So yes. If you don't know who Relient K is, listen to them now. If you do, you can appreciate all the fangirling I just did.

xo,
Katy

Summer Goals

The air is heavy with humidity. Tree frogs sing in the evenings, our only light cast by the fading rosy sun in the west and the occasional flicker of lightening bugs. Finals are over! Over, over over. My sophomore year is finally over. I'm a junior; I'm halfway done with my undergrad studies! Time is passing so very quickly.

This past school year has been an interesting one. I took way too many classes. Ten this semester alone (but only 17 credit hours. Silly, I know.) I made many friends, for which I am thankful. I almost consider myself outgoing now, though I am still decidedly an introvert. My long term relationship ended. I formed new ones. My family dynamic changed. I learned to accept it. It's been a year of growth. Growing isn't so much fun in the process, but looking back, I'm thankful life has happened the way it has.

I'll continue to grow this summer. I think grow is my theme word for this year. Keeping with that theme, here are my goals for this summer:

1. Be healthy! I'm cutting processed foods out of my diet, as best I can. I really, really need to start taking care of my body. I haven't been careful about what I've put in it, and I'm tired of feeling draggy all the time. I'm also going to start working out: swimming with my sister, hiking with my friends, crunches and push-ups on my own. I'm even considering joining the local Y so I can take Zumba and yoga. This also entails taking my medicine like I should!

2. Grow and re-brand my photography business. I'm hoping to depend on it as a second source of steady income, and frankly, I haven't had as many clients as I'd like. I love taking photographs and hearing stories. I want my photography to convey those stories. I'm looking into being a lifestyle photographer, as opposed to a portraiture photographer. I've already had a few shoots that convey this new direction that I'll be sharing in the near future. That being said, I'm not going to give up senior portraits and the like, since they are my largest clientele. If you want to keep up with my photography, visit my facebook page. I'm afraid not all of my shoots wind up on here, since this is my personal blog. :)

3. Write more! As an English major, I don't get to write much for fun during the school year. I've had many ideas swirling in my head for stories lately, I've just not put them down on paper yet. Look for some of them here in the future. :)

4. Read, read, read. I'm so happy to have time for reading! I don't have a set list of books that I want to read this year. I re-read The Chronicles of Narnia annually, and I'm planning on re-reading The Hobbit since the movie comes out this December! I've also had Divergent recommended to me. Has anyone read it?

5. Travel! My friends and I have been hard at work planning trips this summer! These include southeast Missouri; Gulf Shores, AL; Atlanta, GA; and Memphis, TN (well, that one is for a convention.) I'm really excited about going to the beach!

6. Listen to new music! I've been stuck in a music rut for quite some time. I haven't been able to keep up with what's new, so I've found myself listening to the same things over and over. Simon and Garfunkel, Manchester Orchestra, Jack's Mannequin, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Rachmaninoff, Deas Vail, and Mumford and Sons. Three artists I've been introduced to recently are Silversun Pickups, Ivan and Alyosha, and Of Monsters and Men. Does anyone have any groovy music they could recommend?

7. Renew my relationship with God! I saved the most important one for last. God has been teaching me a lot lately. I hope to share some of that here in the future. I haven't taken my relationship with Him as seriously as I should, and I've been taking so many things for granted. It's only though His strength that I've made it this far. That's become so apparent to me over the past few weeks. I want Him to be the sole anchor in my life.

There are so many other things that I'm going to be working toward, but this post is already much lengthier than I intended it to be. Hopefully I'll be able to accomplish all of this between working, sleeping, and practicing piano. :)

What are your summer plans and goals?

xo,
Katy

new hope

New...Minnetonka moccasins. I got a super great deal on them at Marshall's.

New...blog layout! Like it? I'm still making some tweaks on it, but for the most part, I'm satisfied with the way it looks. 

New...McKay Used Books. They moved further away from my college (sad face) but they have a much bigger facility. I'm going with a friend today. I'm hoping to find some CDs I've been wanting for a while.

New...obsession with Jack's Mannequin. I've liked them for a long time, but lately it's developed into an obsession.

New...Link at the top for my store. You should check it out.

New...perspective on peace. My roommate and I were talking last week. She read Isaiah 26:3-4 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." We both realized...the amount of God's peace you feel is dependent upon the amount that you are trusting him. The more you trust, the more at peace you are. I don't know why I hadn't ever realized that before, but it's given me a whole new perspective on life.

What's new in your life?

xo,
Katy

leap-day ramblings

1. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:4-5 I've been reading the book of John for my New Testament: Gospels and Acts class. It's always been my favorite Gospel, probably because of its theological nature. It doesn't just tell about the life of Jesus, it answers the question why. Why did He come? Why did He do the things He did? John seeks to answer these questions. As the disciple closest to Jesus--as well as writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit--I think John was equipped to answer those questions. I've read that verse many times, but it jumped out at me. Lately, darkness has permeated my life. There hasn't been much light to speak of. Depression has covered me, and I've been on the verge of despondence. After I read those verses, I realized I really don't possess a light of my own. I am just a vessel, my light is Christ's. Because I am His, the darkness cannot overcome me. It might feel suffocating. I might feel as though there is no way out, but it cannot beat me, because it cannot beat Christ. He has obliterated darkness. There is no shadow.

2. One of the things that has been fueling my depression is my health. I've been quite sick for a month now. The best they can figure, it's just a severe sinus infection. I'm on my third round of antibiotics. They finally ran some blood tests yesterday, so I'm waiting on the results from that. I've just been exhausted. Not the I-just-need-a-good-night's-rest kind of exhaustion, but the I just want to go to sleep and not wake up because living is too hard like this kind. We have mid-terms this week, but then we're on Spring Break, so I can sleep all I want to. Thank goodness.

3. I had a long talk tonight with two friends who have both lost a parent to illness. It was interesting to compare our experiences, and see how each of us is in a different stage of the grieving process. I've been missing my mom a lot lately, so it was good to just talk it out. I thank God for giving me that conversation.

4. A couple other bits of encouragement that God has sent my way...someone told my dad the other day that I have an indomitable spirit. I was having a bit of a breakdown that day, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. I just felt the need to mark that down, because it's likely I'll forget that word and compliment.

5. I'm also very sad to hear about Davy Jones' death. I've always been a huge fan of The Monkees. My mom and I used to sing their songs together. If you get the chance, listen to "Last Train to Clarksville." It's by far my favorite song. 

6. Pray for the residents of southwest Missouri (where I'm originally from) especially those that live in Branson and Lebanon (I used to live there...) They were hit pretty hard by tornadoes last night. There have been casualties and the damage is pretty bad.

xo,
Katy

your protector's coming home

Shirt, pants, headband- F21/ Belt, tights- Target/ scarf- Walmart/ oxfords- Rack Room

1. I'm still alive. Barely, but I'm here! I'm still sick. I'm beginning to wonder if I really do just have a sinus infection. I'm going to try to get into the doctor tomorrow (ewwie.) because I've got to feel better!

2. So, what's this about a holiday tomorrow? Oh right. Valentine's Day. This is the first year in a while that I haven't had a Valentine, and really, that's okay. It's still one of my favorite holidays, and one of the few times I will willing wear copious amounts of pink and red. When I was younger, I would work in a flower shop around Valentine's Day. It was always so much fun. Stressful, yes, but it was so cute to see what guys would get their sweethearts. I know that someday I'll have that special someone who will stress over the perfect flowers, books, or chocolate to get me. (hint: I like tulips, hydrangeas, and dark chocolate.)

3. Lately, I've been okay with being single. It's given me time to really focus on my relationship with God, and I'm so thankful. I have to get myself healthy before I can expect to pour into someone else. To use a church-y phrase..."Your vertical relationship has to be right before your horizontal relationships are."

4. My society and our brother society hosted an open mic night last week. A friend and I sang Poison and Wine by The Civil Wars. It was a ton of fun. I really wish I had gotten it on video!

5. I am now sophomore class vice president for the rest of the year. Random. It's so weird I'm already a sophomore in college.

6. If you haven't listened to Fleet Foxes, I suggest you do so right now. I'll make it easy on you:

 

xo, Katy

instagram lately

1. Doodles.

2. My sister's cat, Scourge. Which is actually a girl. Go figure.

3. Dinner. Steak, baked potatoes, salad!

4. Lots of polka-dots.

5. Time spent with my best friend!

6. Playing games at halftime during the superbowl. 

If you could, say a quick prayer for me. I'm still very sick with a sinus infection, and I'm starting to feel exhausted and defeated. Thanks!

xo,

Katy

P.S. The Duke vs UNC game is tonight, and I am PUMPED. You better believe that I'll be wearing Duke blue, screaming like a banshee!

learning self-worth

Lately, I've been feeling out of place. I've always done my own thing. I have trouble getting close to people, and lately, I've been feeling inadequate with my life. Like I don't have enough friends, or activities or interests. I've broken down multiple times, feeling like I'm ill equipped to deal with life.

Part of me has come to realize that every feeling of inadequacy is nothing more than a lie that I've been telling myself. Everyone is different, so we all live life differently, and have various standards of happiness. I've made a plan of action to pull myself up out of this rut. It is, as follows.

1. Stop trying to do things on my own. First, I am inadequate in the sense that I can do nothing outside of my Savior. I need to make Him my very top priority, otherwise the steps that follow will all be in vain. Real self-worth and joy can only be found within Him. I am going to start journaling my prayers, and start a more intentional Bible study. Going to a Bible college, it's very easy to lose a personal connection with the Bible and see it merely as a text book. I need to constantly remind myself that Christ did die for all--but He also died for me. He found me--little, insecure, imperfect Katy--worth dying for. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession. James 1:18

2. Recognize that no life is perfect. Who came up with the idea that there is an ideal life? Because it doesn't exist. There is a song lyric that says "And I am not convinced that anybody is ever living the dream." That has always stuck with me. There is no such thing as a perfect life, so stop trying to find it. Life is supposed to be complicated and messy, and there is beauty in that.

3. Take things an hour at a time. I constantly look to the future, while living in the past. There is hardly any present in my life. I've been told to take things a day at a time, but honestly, even that is too much for me. So I'm going to break my days down into even smaller sections. If I feel happy, I'm going to let myself feel happy, and not worry about what might happen later when that happiness passes. And if I feel melancholy, I'm going to recognize it, and realize that it too will soon pass.

4. Cherish the friendships I have. As an introvert, I don't have many friends, but the friendships I do have are very dear to me. And honestly? That's okay. I prefer quality over quantity. Having a large group of friends does not a happy person make. My life is nearly drama free, and for that I am thankful. God has blessed me with some solid people that I can trust.

5. Take care of myself. I am going to consistently take my medicine. I'm going to a new doctor and getting back into counseling soon. I'm going to start exercising and try to eat healthier. I'm going to stop, take time, and breathe.

6. Make time for the things I love. I'm going to read more. Sleep more. Take more pictures. Paint more paintings and draw more drawings. Watch more iCarly with my best friend. Play and listen to more music. Write more words, go to more shows. I'm going to do the things I've always wanted to do, like go find The Grilled Cheeserie truck, or go rock climbing.

This is my plan for the rest of this semester. I'm the kind of person that constantly has to be busy, and it's easy for me to get buried in school projects. I don't know how to handle down time, and I've had quite a bit of time to myself lately. I think that's what has induced this life freak out. I have to learn to be okay with me. I have to stop finding my worth in other people. This has all been on my mind lately. (And by on my mind I mean totally obsessing over.)

xo,
Katy

listen to--> There There, Katie - Jack's Mannequin

twenty-one before twenty-one

1. Open an online shop selling my prints

2. Visit Chattanooga

3. Take an all-day trip to Atlanta

4. Go to Chicago with my sister

5. Read War and Peace 

6. Make at least five crafty things.

7. Grow my hair down to my shoulders

8. Read through the entire Bible

9. Do a 52 weeks project

10. Make the President's list again

11. Make home-made candles.

12. Finish learning Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G Minor

13. Change my major to English

14. Write a poem every week

15. Keep a journal for the entire year

16. Write the character sketches for my book idea

17. Sew a dress

18. Made a DUKE sweatshirt

19. Paint at least four paintings

20. Make shrimp creole for my family

21. Do a "Dear Photograph" style photo

And that, my friends, is the list of goals I plan to accomplish in the upcoming year. Let's see how well I can do!

The necklace Matt got me for my birthday :)

What are your goals for the year?

Have a great weekend!
xo,
Katy

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