i made eye contact with you eleven times last sunday.

i counted.

and if it wasn't for my parents insisting
that i spend new years eve with them,

i'd willingly fly out to australia to kiss you at midnight.

Reader's Digest Version of My '09.

To start this off, let me begin by confessing:

the picture above is kind of what my entire holiday vacation has looked like.

i happen to be very, very, very lucky,

however...(this is where the confession sets in)

the other day i was in an absolutely wicked and terrible mood.

i didn't really have any good reason to be either -

especially considering i have constantly been seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth; unfortunately, my weaknesses still got the best of me,

and i made rather unpleasant company.

luckily, this confession has a happy ending,

because it didn't take long for me to start thumbing through my life in lists book -

and as i began a new list, i was able to gain a whole new perspective.

here is a part of that list.

the list of things i loved about twenty-oh-nine.
i love that i got to see my favorite city in the world. twice.

(especially when i got to visit valentines day with my dad)
boston, i will always love you.

i love the 1,001 memories i made in just 100 days of summer;
especially the night where i was halfway eaten alive by mosquitoes after jumping into a lake while wearing my yellow dress.

(i love that my best friend had to push me me in so i would actually do it too.)

i love that i discovered a new love for strawberry shortcake cupcakes.

and i love that my love for zac efron has never died. and i don't think it ever will.

i love that i took a nap in central park on a summer afternoon just two weeks before another school year started.

i love that i just realized i could cross 22 things off my

"things to do before i die list"

(including: flying over the northern part of New Zealand in a helicopter!

Freeeeak. So. So. Cool)

and yet I have added 78 things to that same list too.

i love my french professor still.
yes, monsieur lawrence, it is true.
i really, really loved you.

i love the sunday dinner tradition that was started this past fall with all my darling, charming but mainly dorky friends.

i even love all the jokes about "spells i put on the chicken" after food poisoning three people.

i love my best friends who always remained a phone call away,

even when they got married to their other best friends.

i love that thanks to taylor swift,

my friends and i have reinvested our friday nights into

making more silly music videos.

i love that i spent the last week of december totally sore and sunburned.

(kind of. this was me just trying to be super optimistic)

i love that even though i've had to say goodbye to people that i love more than anything,
i know that they're still there, and always will be.

i love that after all the tears it cost -

i will still take a years worth of important lessons with me.

i love that at the close of another year,
as i sat and tried to write the usual christmas card greetings,
i couldn't find the time to write everything

i wanted to say to everyone i love,
because i've been so blessed to meet so many good people.

and lastly...

i love that there was something about this year that i will never forget.
maybe it's because i grew up a tiny bit more,
or maybe it's just because i grew to love life
(no matter how hard, or how imperfect)
just a tiny bit more too.

and now that the end of the year has finally come,

a new decade is getting ready to begin.

in fact, considering my location this new years eve,

i will be among the firsts in the entire world

to celebrate the beginning of a new year,

(which merits me making a lot of wishes at midnight, don't you think?)

anyway, before i end i've come to one final conclusion:

there may be some parts of 2009 i'd like to leave behind -

but there sure is a lot, lot more i'd like to take with me.

and as for 2010...
well, i really can't wait for you either.

Merry Wishes & Happy Christmas.

"Again Christmas, abiding point of return. Set apart by its mystery, mood and magic, the season seems, in a way to stand outside of time. All that is dear, that is lasting, renews its hold on us: we are home again."
-Elizabeth Bowen

And as I type this I am sitting in my second home, far away, in New Zealand.

Can't wait for my very first Christmas on the beach!

(And if I'm not here in the meantime...)
I want to wish you all a very merry and magical Christmas,
and a warm and bright new year!

If you haven't been able to tell,
Christmas really is my favorite time of year;
I've always wondered why there is something so special in the air,
and why there is something inside of me that seems to just start glowing -
but I think Elizabeth Bowen illustrated my feelings beautifully when she says,
we are home again.

No matter where that may be.

Worth More Than Gold.

I was talking with some friends last night over a fine meal at Wendys,
and aside from the usual topics of:
kissing, school, kissing, funny stories, and kissing...
these were some of the things that were listed on the (quote)
"worth more than gold" list.

Number 1: Girls.
(but that's because the boy-girl ratio was 3:1)

Number 2: Mountain Dew.
(gross)

Number 3: James Bond.
(that's only because my friend Heaston was there)

Number 4: Fix & Mix frosites.
(yayayay)

Number 5: Friends.
(and i can definitely agree with that one)

but lately, my number one is:
sleep.

i love it. i love it. i lovvvvvvve it.

i love waking up at two in the morning knowing that my alarm
clock won't be going off for a while.
and i love it even more when i'm getting into bed
and it's not already two in the morning.

...

but i'm 20.

and sleep doesn't come often.

especially as a college student.

especially during finals week.

Make-A-Flake.

I'm spending my Saturday afternoon cutting out paper snow flakes while watching the real ones fall outside my window.

Today can quite possibly be my favorite day of December so far.

Attention Deficit Disorder.

Why It was Impossible to Pay Any Attention in My 11 a.m. class This Morning.

Dear Boy who whistled "Frosty the Snowman" from north to south end of campus while following me the entire way,

Even when we went our separate ways, I kept singing the song to myself because you successfully got it stuck in my head. And I am not a big "frosty the snow man" fan either.

Dear cute boy who sits on the back row and brings Lebron James into every class discussion we have,

You're clever and cute. I especially liked what you had to say today about Baldassare Castiglione, and somehow tie it into Mr. James looking great in an Armani suit. However, you make it hard to pay attention to our professor when you are so much more fun to pay attention to.

Dear Spider on the wall,

You were crawling way too close to me today. All I could do was lean very, very far away from you and hope I didn't look too awkward. Also, thank you for disappearing suddenly. I had to keep checking my hair to make sure you weren't somewhere in there.

Dear Professor,

Machiavelli is interesting, but only to an extent. Since today was day 28 of this discussion, I think I must say that there is truly nothing left to say about him.

Dear Self,

Please start getting to bed earlier so you can write better notes. Looking down at my notebook after class and seeing "kelsie christensen" scribbled in cursive, calligraphy, backwards and with my left hand made me worry a little bit for my upcoming final next week.

Dear snow outside my classroom,

You make my nose red and my ears want to fall off, and you definitely make it hard to get out of bed in the mornings thanks to my ice box bedroom, but stick around... you make everything so much better.

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! How Could It Be Anything Else?

3 words:
Hot Chocolate. Cinnamon rolls.
And Rolos.

thanks to this ingenious young man
who probably has the most wonderful laugh in the entire world
(and i sometimes even think he is in the
top three cutest boys i know.)

Also.
Being able to watch the movie
It's a Wonderful Life as many times as I'd like.
On the movie cover it reads:
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
How could it be anything else?"

I think I'd like to say that to someone some day.

Also.
Outdoor Ice Skating.
Is there anything more romantic?
More magical?
More perfect in time for Christmas?

Negative.

(ps. it's even more fun to go when your friends do this)

Also.
Christmas Cards.
Sending and receiving.
I just started a few today and I love it.

Lastly...
Recognizing what Christmas is really all about,
is really what it's all about.
This message is especially touching.

I Swam In the Ocean with My Jeans On.

and it was probably the "funnest" thing i've done all year.

I also realized something last night as I sat in bed unable to sleep,
(which makes no sense considering i slept a grand total of 47 minutes this past weekend thanks to our haunted hotel room...more on that next time)

i'm really going to miss 2009.
it's been an awfully fun year.

M-I-C-K-E-Y....M-O-U-S-E

Yet another confession:
I am in the middle of another love affair.
(I have them all the time, I know.)
But there are too many things to fall madly in love with in life,
and this certain mouse in no exception.
we even kissed.

Last year I got to go to Disneyland for Thanksgiving with my family before everyone moved far away from each other. The entire trip was magical - and by magical I mean hands down, the most amazing thing I've ever experienced.

Considering D.Land is already the happiest place on earth, add Christmas music, decorations, lights, fireworks, dancing prince and princesses and best of all:
real snow.
Yes, it is probably one of my favorite vacations thus far, and I am packing to leave again tomorrow!

And if all that wasn't already great enough: This insanely talented musician who I've already seen 9 times in concert will be performing in downtown Disney on Saturday night.

Aaaaaannnnnndddd: I get to make the ten hour long drive with this lady and this special lady.

AAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDD: I get to go eat out on this pier at Huntington beach before heading home for finals week.

Aaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnndddddddddddddd:
best of all.
i am insanely blessed to be alive.
i realize that every morning when i wake up.
i am the happiest girl in the world
who gets to go to the happiest place on earth
during the happiest time of year.

and ps. i promise to post pictures of my third boyfriend (aka my dog jasper) asap.

hugs, loves, and merry wishes to you all this weekend!

top secret.

we have a newest addition to apartment #305:

he is 4 pounds.
and will only ever weigh 8.
he is furry and defines adorable.
likes to cuddle and play with nixon watches.
and we are thinking of naming the new puppy jasper.

but keep it a secret.

my parents don't know.

I'm Thankful.

I'm thankful for an alarm clock, that will wake me up early enough to catch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - even if today is my one excuse to sleep in.
I'm thankful for Christmas music that I've been listening to since November 1st.
I'm thankful for a best friend who called me at midnight a couple weeks ago just to tell me, "Kelsie. We're only young once. Let's go to Disneyland in two weeks." And so we are.
I'm thankful for my other friends who have become more like family since we've grown up.
I'm thankful for outdoor skating rinks.
I'm thankful for a sister who will help me carry a Christmas tree up three flights of stairs because I can't wait to start decorating.
I'm thankful for the fireplace I sit next to every morning because for some reason the heater does not work in my room and it is a night.mare.
I'm thankful that despite the broken heater - I am still pneumonia-free.
I'm thankful for my aunt and her family, who have become a second family since my parents have moved.
I'm thankful for life.
I'm thankful for my faith.
I'm thankful that despite not knowing how to cook - I can always make hot chocolate and cinnamon toast for breakfast.
I'm thankful for parents, who will text me at two in the morning just to tell me that they love me.
I'm thankful for this guy who can always makes me laugh, no matter how sad I get.
& i'm thankful for the lady at the post office who stopped me on my way out the door, just to wish me a "happy thanksgiving."

and i want to wish you all the same.

i truly have so much to be thankful for this year.

happy holidays!

No Contest.

for the past half an hour, my boss and i have been debating between:

Brad Pitt vs. Robert Redford

Honestly?



No contest.

i've said this before...and i will say it again....
i was born fifty years (way) too late.

My Parents Were The Bomb.Com

i have started to realize one thing:
my parents are becoming my friends.

not all days of course.

sometimes they still like to tell me what to do or that i need to eat better because i have zero nutritional intake - but a lot of days....
actually,
most days

my parents have become more like my friends.

instead of sitting down to talk about curfew,
boys that should remain entirely off limits,
or grades that aren't completely perfect -
they've started to talk to me about themselves,
and not just so i could walk away with a lesson learned --
but just so i could know more about who they were;
what they were like aside from "my mom" or "my dad"
but as people, as individuals, and at one point, as kids.

and just a few days ago, i just found this totally great website called:
My Parents Were Awesome

i wish i had an awesome picture of my parents somewhere around,
but unfortunately i don't.
this website has hundreds of fun pictures like these though,
so
GO
LOOK

and maybe show a picture or two to your own parents.
they might have a few just like them too.

Happy Day.

i get to eat here tonight.
with all my favorite people.
i may not have midnight movie tickets to see new moon like everyone else i know -
but i can now look forward to this wonderful food
that may just be able to replace my unfortunate loss of appetite for t&c sandwiches.


ps. last time we ate at in & out, we did this.
don't. try. this. ever.
stupid, stupid, stupid.

EPIC NEWSFLASH.

I thought I should let you know about the biggest change that could ever take place in my entire life...

has finally happened.
And for those of you who may not know why this is epic,
i still want to share:

I don't like turkey and cheese sandwiches anymore.
let me repeat.
i do not like turkey and cheese sandwiches any.more.
I do not know how this happened.
I just found this all out yesterday and it was probably one of the top five most devastating moments in the past
20 years I've been alive.
I don't know what I am going to eat for the rest of my life, I probably will wither away and die. If any of you have food that you just can't live without and think I might like it, please let me know. If it includes any mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup or weird sauce - you don't have to let me know - but it has come to the day that i have finally grown sick of sandwiches after 8 years.
i didn't think it would happen, but it did.
i think it's another sign i'm growing up.

...

and that's all i have for now.

...

ps. go read this and this.
people can make ordinary words fit so beautifully together...
that's why although i question my choice of an english major some days -
i stick with it in hopes i can be that great with words like these beautiful girls, too.

:]

i
love
today.

not because it's a friday,
and not because i finished all 3 epic tests this week that
ultimately determine my physical and emotional well-being...

i love today because:

i
love
letters.

and i just checked the mailbox, like i usually do around noon...
and it was sitting in there, addressed specifically to me,
"to: little kelsie" ending with an s-i-e.

ps. i think i belong in this love movie.
"even when i didn't like you, i loved you."
one of the greatest movies of all. time.
netflix it this weekend.
i promise you won't be disappointed.

Confession: Christmas Commericals Make Me Cry.

i must sounds like little miss emotional all the time, because every time i write i either:
a. just got finished crying
b. am anticipating crying
or
c. crying.

i promise i am really happy... maybe that's why i cry, because i am so happy. i don't know. but i have realized something over the past two days...and basically the past 12 years:

Christmas commercials, no matter how silly, dorky, or overplayed.... also make me cry.

So here is one of my favorites (pull out a tissue or 2)




even though i've seen that several times, my eyes always start to sting as if i were about to cry.
and now i know why.


it's because it makes me happy. so happy.


for a brief 30 seconds, one commercial can remind me of every wonderful christmas memory i have.
and i hope these commercials may do a little bit of the same for you guys too.

ps. i just got my plane ticket for a christmas in new zealand! it may not be snowy outside, but i'll be with my family. and that makes me so. stinkin. excited.

wishing you a very merry monday!

Why I Love Miss Kylie Haws.

This is Kylie Haws.



she is my best friend - and it is her birthday.
i love her a lot - and for a lot of good reasons too.
she makes me try new things - and makes me jump off of docks even though i just did my hair.
she brings me cupcakes - and makes sure i have some stashed away for sad, rainy days.
she is smokin' hot - and will help me find cute things at savers even though i have always found that task impossible.
and best of all about this happy 21st birthday day:
she will rent hotel rooms for us when we decide to finally take a road trip up the coast of california. and that is a big deal, because we've been planning something like this since we were 16.
and i am only 20.
and i still can't rent things legally.

kylie - i hope these 365 days of 21 will be wonderful,
because you are wonderful.
and because you are my best friend.

be deliriously happy.

"Be deliriously happy, 
or at least leave yourself open to be."
- meet joe black
(i watched it last night...again. cried... again.
my friends thought i was so weird.... yet again.)

Anyway.

i think all too often i forget this advice:
just be happy.

because when i think of all the things wrong in the world,
everything wrong with me,
whatever else is wrong with my life -
i seem to forget that i have one and a half million MORE reasons to be happy.

so i'll take this advice, and maybe spend a day or two being "deliriously happy."
i think that's one of the loveliest ways of saying it:
"deliriously happy,"
i think you should try it, too.

(photo via black*eiffel)

"cause this is thriller, thriller night..."

wishing you all a very happy halloween weekend!

and at 12:01 am on halloween night...
(although i guess that would make it the morning)
why don't you check into your local radio stations;
you may just hear a christmas song or two,
or three
...
or four
...
and now for the next two months,
i definitely know what i'm listening to!

It's That Time Again...

my nose is as red as those cherries,

my ears are as cold as icicles,
my fingers are frozen stiff,
this can only mean one thing...


it's snowing for the first time this season my friends,
and unlike many of my fellow classmates who groaned as they walked to and from classes across campus today,
i couldn't have had a bigger smile one my face.
and that definitely kept me warm inside.
(plus i bought mini marshmallows last night while i was at the store. oh. my. can i just applaud my perfect timing?)

Least Expecting It...

once upon a time, there was this boy.
and he was not always very nice to me.
(admittedly, sometimes i wasn't very nice to him either)

but then one day i was having a really, really bad day -
like the worst day of all days -
(kind of had to do with that goodbye i was talking about last time)
but this boy (the not so very nice boy) noticed.
and even though he didn't have to,
scratch that.
even though he probably didn't want to -
he took me to go get fix and mix frosties.
aka.
wonderfulness.

and that's my story. it's not fabulous, but that moment was.
i realized that the littlest, tiniest, minute things matter.
"your hair looks nice"
or
"would you want to go out to lunch on saturday?"

and those who may seem like the
last person in the world to care,
can make all the difference.

now i have a new friend.

*photo via papertissue.
hoping that's what a snapshot of my upcoming weekend will look like, too.

Meet Joe Black.

my plans tonight:
1. procrastinate french homework.
2. enjoy the rainy weather.
3. say goodbye to my best friend.
4. probably cry a little too much after that.
and then...
5. watch meet joe black.

for those of you who haven't seen this movie,
let me take a moment and say:

this movie is amazing.
and if you faithfully devote yourself and sit through the entire
three hours,
you'll watch the last five minutes feeling so happy to be alive.

Yes, We Take Pretty Pictures.

My darling friend Mandy got some friends together.
Designed a photo shoot.
And these were the results.





She did a fantastic job throwing everything together
& i think that they turned out absolutely, fabulously well!
(if you want to see more, you can catch them over here.)

I hope there will be more photoshoots to come (hint, hint Mands)
there is nothing better than being a girl on days where you get to go take
pretty pictures.

love always.
& have a happy weekend.
(i know i'm most definitely in need of one.)

The OC

Confession: I am still in love with Seth & Summer from the O.C.



but personally...i've always thought the spiderman kiss was kind-of overrated.
(unless i were kissing Adam Brody in the pouring rain...
that would make it an entirely different story)

Thank You Mr. President (& a BIG thanks to all my friends)

my dad just sent this to me -
and it made me laugh.today is a much better day.
(ps. sorry if this picture doesn't fit your political views...
but you have to admit, it's pretty funny)


& pps. dear blogging friends,
you are so kind. i never thought that people i don't even know
would have such an impact.
thank you for your kind words and your inspiring thoughts that i love to read daily.
you make work (and life) so much better.

Mascara Mess Monday.

Today has been a good day.

besides just a few trivial things:

waking up late, missing Eng 201
(aka the one class that will truly be the end of me)
my tendency to blush WAY too
easily when my french professor calls on me.
already being bright red after running to
class in a coat in 70 degree weather
(thank you unpredictable utah)
food poisoning half of my friends and family last night...
(i can. not. make. chicken.
although, if i remember right -
i got a B in Foods in high school...
who gets a B in the easiest class ever? i do.)
missing breakfast with the love of my life.
realizing i have to say goodbye to that person in 8 days.
being late for work.
waking up realizing i won't see my parents again until christmas,
and they won't be back to the US of A until next year.
wanting to just cry and eat cupcakes.
and yes, being so overwhelmed with school, work, life i now have a mascara mess to deal with too.

but other than that....
i really think that today has been a really good day.

Jim & Pam's Wedding.

i think i am way too excited to watch this tonight.

Mean Girls.

I have two points I'd like to make today.

Numero Uno:
Why is it that one of the most basic lessons our parents taught us as children, seems to be one of the hardest for others to follow?
WHY can't we get along?
WHY don't we treat others kindly?
Why must girls say really mean things intentionally just so it can get back to the person they are talking about?
(i promise this is just theoretical...sort-of.)
But honestly, what happened to just being nice?
Some say it's "too fake"
Others may say "they don't deserve it"
I say, that's a nice excuse.
But being nice - no matter who or what your circumstances may be - it matters.
and it counts.

Numero Dos:
I could go off for HOURS on this one,
but instead...
let's look at what this darling girl once said:
(because i couldn't have said it better myself)

"Ode to the Oblivious Female:
Oh oblivious female, your plight is getting old
If I am with him, holding his hand, walking side-by-side, laughing with him and hugging him, I am his girlfriend.

Do not ask him out.
Thank you for your time."

and thank you, for yours.

Anne Frank.

I read the Diary of Anne Frank when I was in the 7th grade. I have never forgotten what it felt like to identify myself with a young jewish girl who lived long ago.



i ran across this video today, which was just found and released.
it is the only known video that we may have of her.

after watching the brief 25 seconds caught on tape, i was reminded of the way i felt as i first read the words she once scribbled across a page,
not knowing how they would inspire generations to come.
"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart."
despite her situation, she believed that - and inspires me to do the same.

(if you haven't read her diary yet, you really, really should.)

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.

So i made my visit to Barnes & Noble yesterday,
I even skipped class because I was so excited to take all of you up on your suggestions...

and then i saw this:
"pride and prejudice and zombies."

as heaston would say, "what is going on..?"

K. It's weird. But I must admit, I am kind of intrigued at the same time and I kind of want to see what it's all about...In fact, yesterday at the bookstore I opened up Pride & Prejudice & Zombies for a moment and read over this oh-so familiar opening line:
“It is a truth universally acknowledged....
That a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”

Apparently, the novel uses about 85 percent of Austen’s own words.

has anyone heard of this?
better yet - has anyone read over them?
it might be a fun halloween read,
and i'm kind-of dying to find out what it's all about.

no pun intended.
at least not really.

I'd Rather Be Reading.

I just finished reading Tess of the D'urbervilles
which, despite the (at times) slow moving plot (perhaps that's because I knew from the start
who she would and wouldn't end up with)
I still fell in love with the book and Thomas Hardy...
more importantly, I re-fell in love with reading.
(Some people say you can't fall in love more than once...
I do often)
Anyway, it's time to make another trip to barnes & noble
and i'd like your help.What are some of your favorite books?
Favorite authors?
Fiction, non fiction...
Anything.
Your feedback would be oh-so appreciated, giving me another perfect excuse to start drinking caramel hazlenut steamers with my nose buried in a book.

To: You-Know-Who.

To My Valentine.
(but it's really written by Ogden Nash)

More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or the Axis hates the United States,
That's how much I love you.

I love you more than a duck can swim,
And more than a grapefruit squirts,
I love you more than a gin rummy is a bore,
And more than a toothache hurts.

As a shipwrecked sailor hates the sea,
Or a juggler hates a shove,
As a hostess detests unexpected guests,
That's how much you I love.

I love you more than a wasp can sting,
And more than the subway jerks,
I love you as much as a beggar needs a crutch,
And more than a hangnail irks.

I swear to you by the stars above,
And below, if such there be,
As the High Court loathes perjurious oathes,
That's how you're love by me.

-i read this tonight for my eng. 251 course that i was raving about a couple weeks ago. i. love. this. class.

i also love holding hands, which is why i am writing about this today.

i always wonder why having someones hand in yours feels like one of the greatest things in the entire world.

Two Is Better Than One.

I once wrote about Kathleen Kelly from my all-time Favorite movie: You've Got Mail.
If I were to be cast into any movie, as any character that totally identifies with who I am...I would perfectly fit her role.

however, if my life were to have background music by only ONE artist...
and I could relate to only ONE person...
Hands down, Taylor Swift would be singing my story.
One of My All-Time Favorites? The Way I Loved You.
A new favorite? 2 Is Better than 1.


i just heard it over the weekend,
what do you guys think?

Walking Down the Isle for the Very First Time.

I have an old friend from long ago who I met while living in Hawaii. Years later, I still think she is one of the sweetest girls I've ever known (And someone who I still envy. She always looks flawless. Always.) We lost touch until recently we were reunited on Facebook and I fell in love with her love life.

She was proposed to here (on the beach with a thousand tiny twinkle lights)

And now they are one of the most stunning couples I've ever seen.

You can look at the rest of them here and here.


*note to any potential future husband: we have to try and be half as cute.
and happy wishes and congratulations again to katie & nate!

Walking Down the Isle for the 24th Time.

i read this story online just barely -
i thought it was insane, so why not share?

a malaysian woman, whose 107 years old
(currently married to someone 70 years younger)
is considering walking down the isle for the 23rd time...
23rd.
what in the world?

you can read the rest of the story here.
enjoy.

Tonight.

Anyone else obsessed?

50 Years Down the Road, I See Myself...

With a lot of these people...

Doing something like this:

isn't that video great?way cool fact: sigur ros' lyrics are icelandic.
i know, i know,
i thought they had they're own language too,
but i still love it.

and this is because i still love cummings.

i almost cried the other day in my english 251 class.
imagine me. sitting in class.
braving another day, and another week.
guys, i know i said i was excited for fall.
but after nearly failing my french exam,
and after realizing that i will literally have gray
hair at the end of this semester
thanks to my masterpieces in world lit course...
I heard the following:
"i hope you like cummings, class. he'll be our focus this semester."

wow.
i really truly wanted to cry.
i still do.
out of all the misery and doom i was
beginning to anticipate for fall semester of '09
i heard those words -
"i hope you like cummings, class."
seriously, it felt like christmas morning.

so i thought i'd share - yet again - one of my favorites,
because i will always love mr. cummings.

...

we're anything brighter than even the sun
(we're everything greater
than books
might mean)
we're everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we're alive)
we're wonderful one times one.

i will say that to someone one day too.
"we're wonderful one times one."
now that's wonderful.

because i loved new york.

new york, i love you.

and guess what guys. i have another date tonight.
but this time i know it will be better - and i am totally excited.wanna know why?
"Enjoy a scenic lift ride that offer a panoramic view of the mountain as you glide to the top of Ray’s Summit...This moonlit scenic lift makes for a truly memorable experience and offers the perfect opportunity to allow the mountain to work its magic."
yeeeeeesssssss, please.

you know it's a bad date when you're home by 8...

i was home even before 8.


like.. 7:58.


my thoughts:
i'm too picky.

the answer to all my problems:
zac efron.

Dear Summer... It's Time We Say Goodybe.

dear summer,
i thought i'd miss you more too.
but then i went on a picnic, and saw these sunflowers.

and then i started to take their pictures.

and then my best friends moved back for school.

and then i went to my first day of class.
and then i had the most attractive professor for French 101.
(ryan phillippe could easily be mistaken for his long lost twin)

and then i realized, i am much too excited for the fall.

it was fun while it lasted,

but i think it's time we say goodbye.

sometimes, pictures are the best kinds.

remember how i went on a lovely vacation back east a few weeks ago?
yeah, me either -

it already feels like i should be planning another trip!
anyway, these are some pictures from one of my new favorite states: rhode island.

Rhode Island, I have a crush on you.


(more pictures to come...)

Waiting for Life to Start.

Waiting for Life to start?

"Well Kels," I can hear my dad say in his formal 'this-is-where-my-wisdom-can-be-taken-advantage-of' sort of way,

"It's already begun."

I read this thought a long time ago, and was reminded of it just the other day as I caught myself saying things like:

"Once school starts, then..."

or.

"Once I finally fall in love, then..."

or.

"Once I finish my degree, then..."

And it wasn't all that long ago when I was saying things like,

"Once I graduate high school, then..."

(I have)

or.

"Once I live on my own, then..."

(I do)

or.

"Once I go to college, then..."

(I'm here)

And look! Nothing miraculously has ever changed overnight, just because I've started a new chapter in my life.

If you can relate in any way (and even if you can't), READ ON.

The Life of a Day – Tom Hennen

"Like people or dogs, each day is unique and has its own personality quirks which can easily be seen if you look closely. But there are so few days as compared to people, not to mention dogs, that it would be surprising if a day were not a hundred times more interesting than most people. But usually they just pass, mostly unnoticed, unless they are wildly nice, like autumn ones full of red maple trees and hazy sunlight...

For some reason we like to see days pass, even though most of us claim we don’t want to reach our last one for a long time. We examine each day before us with barely a glance and say, no, this isn’t one I’ve been looking for, and wait in a bored sort of way for the next, when, we are convinced, our lives will start for real..."

Like my dad would say, "It's already begun."

I guess I need to be brave enough to realize that Life isn't waiting,

So why should I?

i should think twice before i speak.

(i liked this picture, but don't understand why it says: thnik?
it's probably really clever,
but today i'm just not clever enough to get it.)

anyway, speaking of john mayer - he sings a song that i can truly relate to at the moment.
"my stupid mouth, has got me in trouble, i said too much again."
it seems like out of all the lessons i've learned, i will indefinitely be learning that one over, and over, and over again.
i've said this before, but i blame the lack of keeping my mouth closed to the fact that i was a great debater in high school, and when there was a point to be made,i made it.
and here i go again.
anyway.
point is:
i really, really need to start putting my common sense to use,
and think twice before i speak.

and probably before i blog too.