Things you never want to hear at the doctor:

I have found the number one thing you never want to hear at the doctor...are you ready?

1. "Oh, that looks horrid! It looks like some turned on a blow torch in your ear!"

Yep...that is exactly what I heard at the doctor this afternoon. Followed by a long explanation of how I have a sinus infection and a severe ear infection. Truthfully, I could've told you that! Especially after I didn't fall asleep until after 6 this morning from sharp pain in my ear. Oh dear...sometimes I wonder why I go to the doctor...Oh, that's right....for the ability they have to prescribe those little miracles in a bottle!

Well I've been since about 80 % of my spring break...classes start back tomorrow morning and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. This is not the way I planned on starting off the second half of the semester. Spring break did me more harm than good unfortunately.

This second half of the semester is going to be so busy. I apologize in advance because I know I won't be able to write as much but I'll try to squeeze in as many posts as possible.

Here's what on the agenda for the rest of the semester:

• Portfolio Reviews- This is our preliminary review before the official review at the end of the year. It will tell us where we stand and what we need to work on. I'll be spending a lot of time preparing for this.

• Midterms and papers- Self explanatory, I do believe.
  

• Projects, projects, projects- This is when things start getting busy...eep.
  

That's all for tonight....

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

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Spring break and questions for YOU!

Hello there, friends!

I'm sorry it's been so long! School is keeping me so busy this semester. Finally, I'm on spring break so I thought I'd give you a nice little organized update update on everything.

School:

• Typography- this is my "focus" class of the semester. It's essential that I get an A (or at least high B) in this class for my major. We have portfolio reviews at the end of this next fall semester that tell us whether we can continue in this major or not. Therefor, I spend most of my time focusing on this class. It's an interesting class and I'm really liking is so far so it makes things a little easier to focus on. Still a challenging class but at least I enjoy it.
  

• Drawing 2- This is probably my most challenging class of the semester. In drawing 1, it seemed like everyone in the class was in the same general skill level...it wasn't so intimidating. But in this class, there are some absolutely amazing skill levels and I'm definitely not one of those. Never the less, I'm just trying my hardest and my goal is to come out of the class with a B.
  

• Art History- this is a required class for my major and I usually dread the general education class but I'm not minding this one as much....maybe because it's art history instead of just general history. I love looking at art from different time periods :) This week I'm also going to the Frist museum and the Parthenon in Nashville for extra credit.
  

• Black and White Photography- I love this class! I absolutely love developing my own film and prints in the darkrooms. It's so addicting. The only down side is how time consuming it is. Taking the pictures can take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the assignment and then developing and printing takes at least 5 hours. So usually I have to devote Sundays to this which is most unfortunate.
  

That's my semester thus far. :) Busy but going good. Hopefully I'll get some pictures of some of my projects on here and/or facebook soon.

As far as weight loss goes, I'm still in a weird spot. I've lsot around 7 pounds total since the beginning of January. This isn't bad but it's still frustrating that I've already hit a plateau. I'm determined to overcome it this time though... I'm continuing to work out at least 3 times a week and now adding some strength training in.

My goal for March is to just get past this plateau. I don't care if I just get 1 pounds past it, it's a start. :)

I'm starting to realize that although that "jump start" in January was nice, it's not going to be that easy to get it off. I'm going ot have to work hard for this and I'm ready.

Alrighty...that's the updates for this week :)

Now two questions for YOU!

1. Where is a cheap vacation place for me and some girl friends to go this summer? We really want to get away this summer and just have a few days of fun that's also affordable. Anyone have any ideas?

2. I'm thinking I need to get my hair cut....any ideas? I'm not going any shorter than my shoulders. I needs something other than just the same simple hair I have now. :) drastic layers? sweepy bags? ideas anyone?

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Overreactions and Goal setting :)

Hello, again!

Good news.
Apparently, I've become way too obsessed with the scale. I weigh at least once a day lately. Not good. Mainly because weight fluctuates throughout the day. My "official" weigh in day where I actually log my weigh on Sparkpeople.com has always been Friday morning. I got on this morning and had lost the 2.5 pounds I was complaining about in my last post. I've decided....I'm going to try to weigh only once (maybe twice) a week now. It just stressed me out and makes me frustrated. No more!

Also, as busy as this weekend is going to be, I'm going to try to plan out a few quick meals for this upcoming week. I tend to eat unhealthy when I'm in a rush...so to avoid that, I'm going to start planning ahead. Anyone have any good healthy quick fix meals?

I'm giving up red meat for a while. I decided to do it for Lent but it may be longer...? not sure. I've just realized that it's so much healthier to eat poultry (no added horomones, please! :) and you can easily substitute ground turkey instead of ground beef. We'll see how it goes!


Okay so here's the run down of goals for this week:

1. Weigh in only on weigh in day (maybe one other day if it's driving me nuts)

2. Pay more attention to the food I put into my body, regardless of how busy I am.

3. Plan a few "quick fix" meals.

4. Drink at least 5 glasses of water a day. (I'm working my way up to 8...I'm not naturally a big drinker.)

5. Work out my 4 days.

There we go! I think those are reasonable for this week. :) I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. <3 you guys.

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

ps. Thought I'd share my favorite song as of lately. I went to see Wicked in September with my mother and best friend. It was amazing. I'd pay hundreds to see it again, no exaggeration. Anyhoo...this song "Defying Gravity" has been a favorite lately. Call my stupid but it's really encouraged me. Sometimes...alright...a lot of times, I put it in my CD player in the car on the way to work out. haha. I'm seriously in love with this song.

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Honesty.

If I'm going to do this I have to be honest with myself and you. So here we go...no fancy wording, no beating around the bush. Here is where I am, right now.

Here it is:

1. I'm scared. scared to death of failing.

2. I just stepped on the scale and I'm up 2.5 lbs from earlier this week.

3. I'm horrible at eating healthy. I don't know how...and don't know where to start.

4. I've never lost more than 15 pounds from a weight loss program or diet. I always hit a wall and give up.

5. My weight is my biggest insecurity. I can remember more times than I can count time I've been made fun of. I remember exactly where I was standing, who said it and the words that were said.


There it is. The ugly truth.

I want to give up.
but I can't.

I can't live this way anymore...I have no choice but to keep going.

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

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News and a Cruise

Hello there!

Sorry it's been almost two weeks since I updated. Thing have been a little busy and every time I'd have time to blog, i'd be exhausted and ready for bed or needed to get going on some school stuff.
I do, however, have two very exciting things to share with you to make up for my lack of blogging lately.

Big News #1:
I'm going to be an aunt again! Matt and Chass are expecting their first baby on August 25th. I'm so extremely excited to be an aunt again and I'm so glad I can finally share the news with yall! They told me in early December but was sworn to secrecy for a little while. Anyhoo- I can't wait! I'm hoping it's a girl (then I'd have one of each! Nephew and Niece!) but I'd be just as happy with another nephew.

Big News #2:
(In story form)
Okay...so the other day I was in Art history and got a text from my brother, Matt. It read "Hey Katieboo. Chass and I just wanted to let you know that we noticed the results from you going to the gym last night and we're so proud of you". I thought, "aww. how sweet" and replied a quick thank you as to not get caught by the professor.
A minute later, I got another text that said "We have a proposition for you..." Upon asking what it was and then my phone being stupid and mixing up a bunch of text messages, I finally received a text back that read..."Write down your starting weight, put it in an envelope and put it in a safe, once you've lost 100 pounds prove it to one of us and...." *insert drumroll here* "....we'll pay for you to go on a cruise!" AHH! I then proceeded to try my very best not to freak out in the middle of class. I was shocked. It meant so much to me. Needless, to say I accepted their proposition and how have a pounds count down until a cruise up in my room.

*phew* That's all my big news for now! :)

Here's a quick update on weight loss and working out:

I hit that road block I always hit about a month in last week. I had maintained and then gained a pound. I let it get me down for about two days then realized THIS is why I never lose the weight. because I let weeks like this completely get the best of me. So I pushed past it...got back on schedule this week and feel great.

So, unfortunately, there is no weight loss to report this week. Next week, hopefully!
but I have been on schedule for working out this week (with the exception of Superbowl Sunday). I worked out Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I may even get in a quick workout tonight.

That's all for today, friends.

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

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A Snowy Sunday Morning

"And now the King of Kings says, "As long as you live under the Kingdom of God, THIS is how you will live! You will love your enemies, you will pray for those who hate you, and when they mistreat you because you are a Christian, you will CELEBRATE because they recognized you as one of MINE. Now as long as you in this house, this is the way you live!" Jesus is Lord!"
--Mike Glenn

I love this quote...Pastor Mike said it last Tuesday at Kairos s0mewhat summarizing the whole lesson. (More on that in the last blog if you missed it) :) Just had to share it.

Here's the rundown for this past week.
Total days worked out: 3.
*Sigh.* 1 less than the goal. I'd blame it on the snow this weekend but we have a treadmill at our house so I can't truthfully use that excuse.
Total Minutes worked out: 120+ minutes
Still met the minimum amount of minutes I wanted to workout a week (30 minutes/4 times a week) in only 3 workouts. Still wish I'd gone Friday but glad I at least got to the minutes.
Total Weightloss: 1 pound (7 total, thus far)
After two weeks of losing 3 pounds, i was a little down but nevertheless a loss is a loss...just gotta keep going.

Not a bad week at all...just not as good as others :)

That's all for now! :)

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

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Just some between class thinking...

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
Even 'sinners' love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who are good to you,
what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.
But love your enemies, do good to them,
and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Then your reward will be great,
and you will be sons of the Most High,
because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful
. Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
-Luke 6:31-37

(If you skipped that, shame on you! :) Go back up there and read it!)
Starting after Christmas and going all the way through Easter, we're going through the book of Luke in Kairos. I was a little hesitant when Pastor Mike told us we'd be doing that....that's a looonnng time to stay in one book.

Now, though, I'm so grateful we are. These past 3 weeks have been those nights where God chooses to speak through Pastor Mike to exactly where I am in life right now. It's been some of the most powerful and passionate preaching I've heard filled with those moments when you wonder if there's even anyone else in the room but you.

Anyways...I just thought I'd share those verses up there with you. Those were some of the verses we went through last night and the ones that spoke most to my heart. Pastor Mike took a good portion of the night and concentrated on loving your enemies. He really drove the point to us that there are no exceptions to this rule. It's not "love your enemies until they become your friend." ...or..."Love your enemies but stop if they don't change." It's "Love your enemies." no exceptions. You see...we are owned by God. We are His. His rules become ours.

One thing he said at the end of his sermon was "If you're treated unjustly because you're a Christian, don't get mad or upset about it. Celebrate that they noticed."

That made me think...do people that don't really know me notice something different about me? Do they see Christ's love through me? If I didn't tell them I was a Christian, would they know it just by my actions? If not then my words mean nothing.

That's all for today, friends. Just had a few minutes to blog between classes.

Love. Love. Love.
Katie

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