Awkward | Awesome

{I haven't done one of these for a while. I had quite a bit of fun writing it.}

Awkward

- Consistently coming [--] this close to beating 2048 without ever actually beating it. Is anyone else as addicted as I am?

- Knowing that the Augustus [love interest, for those who haven't seen/read it] to Shailene Woodley's Hazel is also the Caleb [brother] to Shailene Woodley's Tris *shudders* It definitely ruins The Fault in Our Stars for me!

- Looking across the registers towards someone at work and having the look intercepted by the wrong person

- Opening a pack of candy and finding only a few of your favorite flavor

Awesome

- Hanging out with friends from church over the weekend that I haven't spent time with in far too long

- Playing too many hands of Scum on said weekend

- Discovering a new TV show (AND a new season of Sherlock on Netflix!)

- Going swimming for the first time of the season

- Spending an entire day with The Boy

Perfection

A Lawn Chair.

A Book.

Crackling Firewood.

Bird Songs.

Woods-smell.

A Cool Breeze.

[this is where I will be in a week and some change. and I can't wait]

Miss Potter

I don't know if any of you have already seen this movie, but if not I strongly recommend it. It's about the life of Beatrix Potter, the writer and illustrator of Peter Rabbit, among other stories. It details her struggle to get her stories published as well as an insight into what her life was like. There are so many reasons why I absolutely love the movie.

First of all, it always makes me think of a video I watched countless times when I was younger with several of her animated stories as well as sections with an actor's portrayal of her painting and writing her stories. A few years ago I happened to catch a few minutes of this movie when it aired on TV. Before that, I didn't even know it existed.

As you may know if you've been reading my blog for a while, I love to watch period dramas, which this definitely classifies as. I love the outfits, the fancy parties, and just overall seeing life in that time period right before my eyes.

One of my favorite aspects of the film is that it shows her interacting with her characters. Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemimah Puddle Duck and others tend to jump off the page when she draws them. It's added to the movie in a way that doesn't make it seem childish or unrealistic. Rather, it shows just how much Beatrix Potter actually cared for the characters she created.

Aren't her drawings the sweetest?

Another favorite part is when she visits the Lake District (and later moves there). As I mentioned in my previous post, it's an absolutely gorgeous place and this movie is what sparked my interest in it. I mean, just look! I'd love to explore this place:

There's so much more I could say about this movie, but I'll leave it at that. I don't want to give anything away! If you're into this kind of thing, I highly recommend Miss Potter.

It's That Time of Year

It's that time of year again. The time when I get that itch in the corner of my heart to go, see, and do. Normally I'm pretty content to be right where I'm at, but as the days start to get warmer and I'm shedding my cozy layers, I get wanderlust on the brain.

The Lake District

There are so many places I'd like to go. I want to go to England and visit the Lake District. I have ever since I watched Miss Potter (On a side note, highly recommend. That movie is beautiful. Maybe I'll do a post on it sometime...). I want to go to Spain and visit Seville. I want to eat gelato in Italy by the Mediterranean. I want to see Angel Falls in Venezuela. I want to tour a lighthouse in Maine. I want to run my hand across the bark of a Redwood tree in California. I want to hike through a misty forest in Washington.

There's so much I want to see and do, so many places I want to go, that I know there isn't time for all of it.  Still, a girl can dream.

Tightrope to the Sun

I think I've settled on a new blog title. If you looked at my blog at all in the past 12 hours, you would have seen a different title (and even a different "new title" post). I thought I had found the perfect title, until I happened to remember one of many failed tumblr blogs I'd started titled "Tightrope to the Sun". The title came from one of my favorite quotes from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: "It was a Monday, and they walked on a tightrope to the sun." Something about the poetry of that phrase stays with me.

I always get myself into trouble by being too hasty, but I'm hoping that this time it will stick. The design is slightly new as well, though I mainly just tweaked the color scheme. I'm not very tech savvy, so unless someone volunteers to make a design for me, this is what you're gonna get. I kinda like the simple look anyway.

So, what do you guys think? Does the new title work for you? Also, a question for you tech-savvy people out there: is there a way to change my URL so that my blog keeps showing up in your feeds? Many thanks, in advance!

Anyway, a real post is coming soon!

Inconsistency

That's the word I'd use to describe my approach to blogging in the last few months (and that's putting it mildly). I attribute it partly to school and work that has kept me busy, as well as posting for The Book Chewers. Probably the bigger reason is that I have fallen into the trap of doing this for others rather than for myself. I started doing it for the pageviews, for the comments, for the followers.

Today I'm here to tell you that I'm going to start doing this for me again. Posting the things I want to post about. (Trying to) not care about the number of comments I get on each post, and whether I even get any. Now that it's summer, I really want to focus on that. And maybe there'll be a new blog name and design to help me get back into the mood.

Stay Tuned.

It's That Time of Year.

Everyone will soon be posting New Years resolutions and I thought I'd get a jump on it since the next few days will be too full for blogging. If you recall, last year I didn't really make any resolutions. In the span of time between then and now, I made a huge life decision (for me) to change my major from elementary education to business administration. So far it feels like a much better fit. I also gained a boyfriend and best friend all rolled into one. He really is wonderful, but I'll spare you the details.

As for this year, I have a few small resolutions I'd like to work on. In no particular order, here they are:

1. I want to make it a goal to save $5-10 from each of my paychecks to put towards buying myself one "big" nice thing. I also have a coffee tin with spare change in the bottom that I rediscovered in my bedroom and plan to add to it and eventually add that to the stash. By the end of the year, we'll see how much I have.

2. I want to maintain my goodreads profile more meticulously, recording every book I read for the year. I'll also make it a goal to read 30 books this year. That isn't a lot compared to what some people commit to, but for me it feels right. Sadly, I have too much going on in my life to read as much as I'd like.

3. I want to do my best to read my Bible more regularly and maybe even find a devotional book that I will stick to. It's something that I think about all the time but never really put any effort into changing. Now is as good a time as any.

So those are my resolutions for the year. Have you made any of your own?

♥♥Kristin

A Confession

Can I admit something? I am absolutely terrified that somehow, someday, out of the blue, something horrible will happen and my world will never be the same. I try to reassure myself, I pray about it almost constantly, but the fear still manages to creep in. I read posts about people getting cancer and dying, I hear about fatal car crashes in the news, and I can't help but worry that something like that will happen to someone I love. When The Boy doesn't text me soon after he gets home, I start to panic. When my Mom is a little late from work, I have to fight the urge to send her a text or call her. When my brother is at a late night movie with friends I cannot fall asleep until I hear him come in the door.
I know that it's a horrible way to live, but sometimes I just can't help it. The world can be such a terrifying place. It's hard to remember sometimes that my God is bigger than all this, that He will keep me and the ones I love safe (unless it is otherwise in His greater plan). Trust is hardest for me. I feel like I have to hold the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I forget too often that He took it upon himself for me. Remembering is hard, but I'm trying.

♥♥Kristin

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 It was snowing and blowing today, the perfect day to sit inside with a good book, a fuzzy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. It really cemented in my mind that Christmas is only fifteen days away. Fifteen, people! This is my favorite time of year. I love the way it just feels different than the rest of the year. More cheerful and bright. Christmas music is playing everywhere. Lights on every house make the night a little less dark. Happiness is everywhere. Tidings of comfort and joy. Charlie Brown Christmas trees (mine is sitting on my desk right now!).
 What's your favorite part of Christmas?
♥♥Kristin

Hello Again

It's been almost a month and a half since I've even thought about this little blog. I would love to get back into blogging again if you'll have me back. I think that little hiatus was really what I needed, because I was digging myself into a pretty deep rut. Here's a bit of an update on what I've been up to these past few months:

School has pretty much consumed my life. I've been writing papers and history outlines, struggling through pages of math homework and studying for tests and quizzes. I've barely had time to keep up with The Book Chewers, much less this little blog. When I haven't been at school or working, I've been spending a lot of time with The Boy. I have also been caught up with watching Netflix (but really, what did we do without it?) as well as feeding my Pinterest addiction. It's a problem, people.

In any case, I really am planning to be much more active here, especially considering that after the next week of finals I will have a month off of school. I truly have missed writing (which I have done entirely too little of lately) and sharing with you guys. I plan to make some seasonal themed posts (because Christmas time is my favorite time) as well as little tidbits of life posts. In short, I plan to pick up right where I left off, and I'm so happy to be back.

♥♥ Kristin

Book Chewers Linkup

I don't get to do these very often because I'm busy busy busy (Christmas break can't come soon enough) but this one sounded too fun not to do!

Here's the prompt: What are your favorite book covers? Why do you like them? Because it's simple, brightly-colored, mysterious? Make a list of at least three and explain why you like them!

It's going to be so difficult to choose just three! But, here goes...

This. This this this. This. I just recently discovered this cover, while writing my post over on The Book Chewers about Anne book covers. And I fell in love. It's just gorgeous that's all. I can't even think of any other reason that I like it so much. I think that pretty much says it all.

This is one of those covers that kind of makes more sense after you read the book. To me it's a really accurate picture of the way she just seems to pour the words from her coffee cup in her letter to Ed (which is essentially what the book is).

I had such a hard time picking a third one since there are just so many! But this is another one that I thought makes so much sense once you've read the book. The tiny plant growing up out of the hard, cold, snowy ground says so much about Lina during her time in the camp.

Feel free to link up yourself! They're always tons of fun.

The One on Anxiety

Anxiety is something I struggle with every day, nearly every moment. I've always thought of it as a form of depression though I'm not sure whether this is the case. If you're also someone who suffers from anxiety, then I'm sure you'd sympathize with me. If you're not, I know how hard it can be to understand what it's like (I've experienced this firsthand because, as much as The Boy tries to sympathize with me, he somehow never makes me feel much better).

I'll try to describe what it's like (for me, anyway. I'm sure it comes in different forms for everyone). have you heard the phrase "You're making a mountain out of a molehill"? Well, that's what I do. I make mountains out of molehills until I'm surrounded by mountains so high I can't see out. Every little thing becomes monumental. The smallest things completely stress me out. At one point I became extremely angry over something incredibly insignificant and of course afterwards it seemed silly but at the time my emotions were huge and very real. I will become almost physically ill. There are times when all I want to do is go home, lay in my bed, and just cry. I have good days, and I have bad days (the good days outnumber the bad).

Overcoming it is a constant struggle. Along with the intensity of it all, I think that's what's hardest for those looking in to grasp. It's not just one decision when you get up in the morning not to worry for the rest of the day. It's a mantra in your head whenever you start having a moment, telling yourself everything will be okay, praying the same few words over and over, fighting it until the feeling goes away. And this is sometimes multiple times in one day. It isn't easy.

It's a battle that I fight nearly every day, and I'm here to say that it can be won, at least on a daily basis. I don't know if it's something that ever goes away. It hasn't for me. What I do know is that you can control it, and you mustn't let it control you, easy as it is to give in.

That's my personal experience, and I felt led to share it, so hopefully it helps someone else.

♥♥Kristin

Taylor Swift Was Wrong.

Loving you is not red. It never was. Loving you is the most brilliant blue of a late fall sky. Loving you is the yellow of the golden hour when summer is young. Loving you is the cool green of a forest that stretches uninterrupted for miles. Loving you is the crisp white of a brand new snowfall, untouched by grey humanity. Loving you is the cheerful orange glow of a campfire's embers. Loving you is the flashing silver underside of a minnow as it glides through a creek. Loving you is every color imaginable splashed across my heart, filling me in more ways than one. Loving you is color like I've never known.

Hey There

I know, it's been a while. Honestly, I haven't felt very inspired to write much on this little blog lately. I do not, by any means, want to give it up. I enjoy this blog a lot and it's a great creative outlet. All I'm saying is that I'm going to step back, and there may be large intervals between posts. I have a lot on my plate right now what with The Book Chewers and school and my job. This isn't goodbye, just I'll be seeing you. I may post once or twice a month but frequency (as I'm sure you've noticed) is going to be significantly declined. I hope this doesn't make you un-follow me, but I also understand that consistency is important. Hopefully you'll be sticking around, because even I don't know what's in store for this little place.
♥♥ Kristin

fallfallfallfall

 That's right, blogglings. It's that time of year again. If you've been following along for any amount of time, you know that I absolutely adore Fall. Today was the perfect Fall-type day: the sky was a deep blue with fluffy white clouds puffing along, there was a cool breeze blowing just enough to be comfortable. It just felt like Fall was in the air. On that note, and considering that it's finally September (EEP!), here's my list of what i'm looking forward to for Fall this year:

- cool days

- leaves changing colors

- mugs of tea in the evenings

- cardigans

- pumpkin carving

- making applesauce

- stubbly cornfields

- long walks in the woods

- fires to sit around

- pumpkin flavored everything

- boots

- corn mazes

- snuggling under blankets and reading or watching tv

- burning candles

- crisp air

What's your favorite thing about fall?

♥♥Kristin

My Latest Obsession

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This show is Absolutely. Phenomenal. Next to Doctor Who, I'm pretty sure it's my favorite. In my opinion it's pretty underrated. If you haven't seen it, it's about an evil queen who curses all fairy tale characters to live in our world in a town called Storybrooke in Maine. They've forgotten who they were, and the only people who know the truth are the evil queen (who is the town's mayor, Regina Mills) Rumplestiltskin (who is the town pawnbroker and owner of many town buildings and is known as Mr. Gold) and Mayor Mills's adopted son Henry. Henry's real mother is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming and the only one capable of breaking the curse. He finds her and brings her to Storybrooke, but she doesn't believe him when he tells her the story. Henry knows she's the only one with the power to break the curse so he does his best to make her believe. Each episode is a mash-up of the modern-day story and fairy-tale flashbacks slowly revealing the queen's and everyone else's backstory.

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This guy right here ^^ (Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold) is my favorite character hands down. I still haven't decided whether he's the good guy or the bad guy overall (though Rumple is "the dark one" in fairytale land...). His backstory is so intricate, and he's the character I can sympathize with the most out of all of them. The Boy thinks I'm crazy but I can't help but feel bad for the guy. If you've seen the show, you'd understand.

If you want to watch it, the first season is on Netflix and you can find all of the episodes (seasons 1 and 2) here. Don't say I didn't warn you if you find yourself watching one episode after another and neglecting to sleep or eat. And now, I leave you with...

6 Signs That You Watch Too Much Once Upon a Time (which may or may not apply to me):
1. You've started calling people "dearie" like Rumplestiltskin does
2. You've begun to wonder which fairy tale character the people around you are
3. You pretend you ARE a fairy tale character
4. You want to visit the woods in Maine because they look so beautiful
5. You begin to refer to bad things happening as "curses" even though you know that they don't exist and you believe that True Love's Kiss is really the cure for anything
And finally 6. You watch the show when you should be doing more important things like homework (on second thought, maybe I shouldn't encourage you to watch it)

♥♥Kristin

Organization Makes Me Giddy

I have slightly OCD tendencies with a penchant for organization. I just love it when everything is neat, orderly and in its place. I did my school shopping the other day and I spent the afternoon labeling all of my folders and notebooks, organizing my backpack and writing all of the days we don't have class in my planner. Then I just sat there and stared at the beauty of it all for a while. The sad part here is that I'm not even kidding.

When I actually have a house of my own, I'm probably going to go nuts. I'll probably take a couple of days and an expensive trip to Target and make a space for EVERYTHING. There will be bins and binders and shelves and everything will be in its place. It makes me feel all excited just thinking about it! I don't know if it's connected with my nerdish tendencies (probably) or separate somehow, but I do know that some people do not consider it normal. I've already been asked if I am OCD (the answer is no. Not officially). I just really like organizing things.
♥♥Kristin

Oh, Hey August!

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I know, I know, I haven't posted for almost two weeks, and now this post is three days late. Forgive me? Anyway, here's what this month has in store:
- soaking up the end of summer while also anticipating the beginning of fall, my absolute favorite season
- starting school again on the 19th
- camping with the family and cousins
- the fair
What does this month hold for you??
♥♥Kristin

The Moon

 She often wished she could meet the moon; he looked like a jolly smiling man having the time of his life up there among the stars. He was always bathed in sunlight, and instead of soaking it all up for himself, he reflected it back to earth. What a kind, gentle being he must be! She imagined the conversations they'd have. He'd tell her all about his life watching over the earth and she'd tell him all about her life living on it. She imagined it'd be like Lucy's tea with Mr. Tumnus: two creatures alien to each other yet warm and cosy and talking like old friends. The moon already felt like a familiar comrade. The world looked like a less friendly place when his smiling face didn't shine upon it. 

♥♥Kristin

Currently

It is raining quite nicely outside. I do enjoy a good rainy day every now and then.
I worked this morning and have the whole evening to relax.
I made a cup of lemon zinger tea and drank it while watching an episode of Doctor Who.
Thunder is rumbling in the distance.
For today, nothing could be more perfect.
♥♥Kristin