Key thoughts of the week:

1. Happiness is everywhere.
2. Just because a day is labeled "Monday" or "Tuesday" doesn't mean it has to suck.
3. There is more to life than looking good.
4. Grocery shopping in the city is an event one must be prepared for.
5. Beauty is everywhere.
6. Human connection is one of the most valuable things. Ever.
7. Cheesecake is wonderful. (As well as wine, vodka sauce, baklava, quesadillas. . .)
8. Money is made to be spent, feeling guilty about spending it just isn't worth it.
9. CHARACTER speaks louder than words. . .
10. Exploring is fun. Go take advantage of the people, places and things around you.



Yay for incense, sunshine, blankets, love, cozy socks, helping, coupons, coffee creamer, being young and so much more. . .

<3

Balance.

Woo, I have 4 followers! :)

I know I've been a stranger lately but I've been really enjoying my week and haven't had much of anything too insightful to share!

I've really been experiencing the power of balance over the past couple days and basking in the pleasure of not being too tied up in any one thing . . .

As you know already I love to focus on all the daunting particulars of my life and it tends to get me in quite a dither. The other day I was able to realize that I have some level of control with this:

I was looking through my planner and getting an idea of what the next couple weeks were going to bring and, when I came across the day where I have 2 scheduled exams, 2 papers due (one of them being in APA format: extremely formal and TEDIOUS with lots of preliminary work before the writing process even starts...) and one presentation, I started to freak out a little bit.

So, quite contrary to my normal habit, what did I choose to do? I packed up my bag, took the bus to my supportive boyfriend Danny's apartment, grabbed a BEER and sat down to work on my homework.

This was a huge step for me.

I would have never thought I would be sipping on a beer while working on homework.

It was then that I realized that the only reason it hadn't yet happened is because there was this unwritten rule that I had, at some unknown point in time, established for myself.

I then started trying to identify any other boundaries and walls I had set up for myself and was surprised at the surplus of them. . .

For example:
-"stick to drinking tea in the morning, Karissa, because, even though it's delicious and can sometimes help you focus during class, coffee is ADDICTIVE, and that can't be good..."
-"I have to get all my homework done before doing anything tonight or hanging out because otherwise I will get behind in my work and be miserable for the rest of the semester."
-"alcohol has so many calories and should probably only be consumed once or twice every week for you (even though you just turned 21...) and so DON'T have a beer or a glass of wine with dinner tonight so you can go out this weekend. . ."

OBVIOUSLY these are all very irrational and constrictive thoughts/rules that I have been unknowingly and unquestionably abiding by for quite sometime now. I'm beginning to realize that IT'S OKAY to take down those boundaries and just enjoy things for what they are every once in awhile.

Having that beer while working on my homework the other day reminded me that I don't have to take things so damn seriously all the time. Reminded me that there doesn't have to be such a harsh separation between work and play. Reminded me that even a day full of homework can be enjoyed with a piping hot cup of coffee on a new fall day and the company of your boyfriend's roommate's adorable, cuddling dog.

(Meet Mingus!)

Now, this is not to say that I will become a 3 daily cups of coffee drinking, alcoholic procrastinator who doesn't have anything together. But, you get the idea here.

It's all about a balance.

The Commuter Game and MOH!?

So I've found the place where it is pretty much impossible to practice all the things I've been preaching about lately: UNION STATION.

Really looking forward to getting home for a night to make some plans for my sister's wedding (!), I tried to not let the rush of the 5 o'clock Chicago rush hour get to me as I calmly packed my bag and headed to catch a Metra. Being almost too familiar with the Friday afternoon commuting game, and desperately not wanting to become a part of it, I kept reminding myself to take my time and that I could get on any train that was convenient for me, NO RUSH. This lasted about a whole 10 minutes. . .

Let me explain a little bit about how Chicago commuter rush hour works:

Everyone gets done around 5:00, heads toward the "L", and hopes that they don't see their train approaching as they walk up to the station. If you DO see your train start to pull up before getting to the platform (WHICH is more often than not, unfortunately) there is almost nothing a person can do to keep themselves from becoming panicked, literally feeling inclined to bound up or down the exponentially steep stairs and do everything in their power to MAKE THAT TRAIN.

Why is this the case, you ask? Well, although "L" trains are usually no more than 5 minutes apart during rush hour, that 5 minutes could be the difference between catching the Metra you had your mind set on taking home all day and missing it. And, if you miss that train, it ultimately means that you are starting your evening at least a half-an-hour and even up to an hour later than you had originally planned.

This, probably seeming quite silly, is the complex that consistently seemed to hold me hostage during the year that I commuted back and forth from school: nearly 2 hours each way.

So, again, wanting to avoid this too-close-to-home feeling at all costs I tried my hardest to not have my mind made up on which train I would take before I got to the station and kept telling myself I would make whatever train was there and convenient for me.

As the "L" brought me closer to the station I already felt inclined to walk up to the "L" driver and tell him to "Hurry up! I have a train to catch". The train always seems to travel so much slower on the days you need to be somewhere. . .  I also realized I was already bouncing my knee in a nervous tick, systematically going back and forth between checking my watch and how many stops I had left before I could be free and make my mad dash to Union.

When I finally got to Quincy I darted off the train, into a couple people who literally walked right into me, and began my walk to the station. As my walk began to accelerate into a power walk I knew I was completely sucked in by this point. I began to get the "Jackson Tunnel Vision" where all you care about is finding the quickest path in between all of these people walking ahead of me (too slowly, I might add. . . ) and make it to your train on time.

Also knowing that I still had to purchase my ticket I was feeling even more hopeless in my efforts to make my train.

Long story short, after standing in line for what-seemed-like-forever 5 minutes, I got my ticket and made my train with probably a minute to spare. In my defense this train was the last rush train (express) and the last one heading to Aurora for another 50 minutes. . .

My commuter power-walker shin splints today provide further evidence that I, indeed, became too caught up in the mess of commuting yesterday.

So I am officially still on a search to find the path of least resistance when it comes to taking the Metra and dealing with Union Station but, in the mean time, onto bigger and better news:

Last night Robyn asked me to be her Maid of Honor!! Hearing about the  proposal almost a week ago I have been so excited for Robyn in Jimmy and it has seemed so surreal but, after seeing them together last night and spending time with the engaged-to-be, it really started to sink in. We were all playing a game of Mad Gab when Robyn decided to "make up one of her own" and had me try to figure it out....

Here's what it looked like:

(If you don't get it read it slowly once and then try to say it faster and faster until you hear what it says. . .)

It took me  a couple of tries but when I finally figured it out I was so surprised and honored.

Immediately after I, of course, said yes, we signed Robyn up for a Pinterest account and spent the rest of the evening pinning and gathering ides for the big day!!

I am so incredibly happy for Robyn and Jimmy and cannot wait to be a part of their MUCH deserved and special day. I love you both!

Can't wait to start planning!!! <3

Enjoy the beautiful Saturday, everyone.

Go treat yourself to that pumpkin spice latte you've been thinking about all week.. :)

K

It's a coffee day.

A different theory of relativity.

Interesting how people tend to appreciate or think about things quite situationally. . .

The heat in the subway that we were swearing at a couple days ago is now welcomed and even praised once there is a change of merely 10 degrees in the weather.

Expecting that all other drivers on the road should understand our "I'M LATE, MOVE!" road rage and unquestionably get out of the way when, the very next day, we smirk with pride at the fact that we've just withheld the driver behind us with that very same (now beyond frustrating) attitude from going anywhere close to over the speed limit.

We've been waiting for the weekend All. Week. Long. And, once it comes, we're bored. Wishing for something more stimulating to do and not simply being appreciative of the down time we've been swimming up-stream to get to!

I would like to try and be more aware of this complex. Attempt to be more in the moment. Not always wish for things to be the opposite of what they are in the present. Remember that something I'm seeing negatively in one light usually has a positive side to it in another.

Now I'll probably be desperately denying this post come winter, as I stomp angrily down the roaring wind tunnel most refer to as Michigan Avenue... BUT, I must not forget about the comforting feeling of cozying up beside a warm fire, hot chocolate, ice skating and beyond soft hats and gloves!

Perspective, perspective, perspective.

So, I suppose you can consider it thankful Thursday..

Enjoy the cold, rainy day! ;)

K

Reasons to smile on those inevitable dull days...

1. That random phone call you received earlier just about made your day.
2. The grapes you brought to snack on in between classes are incredibly juicy and crisp today.
3. Without the dull there would be no dazzle.
4. Boredom > Stress.
5. Now you're really looking forward to that weekend coming up that initially didn't seem too exciting.
6. You are a freaking awesome person whether it's a boring day or not. Go write a blog about yourself! ;)
7. It's a straight up invitation to do all those silly, spontaneous things that you always write off any other day...
8. Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
9. There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't take that cat-nap you've been longing for All. Day. Long. Have a pup you can cuddle up with? To the couch, NOW.
10. The sun.
11. Just wait until you're heading back to your apartment because let's be honest: is there really ever a dull moment with those roommates of yours?

----------------------

Only 2 more days until the weekend, folks!

Time to spice up my day by spending the evening with my mom! :)

ALSO, many smiles and congratulations to my wonderfully talented roommate Nina Genatossio for getting casted for the LEAD roll in Columbia's production of The Fantastics!!! I can guarantee there is nobody better for the part. You deserve this more than anyone, Nin! Love you!

✌

And happy chocolate milkshake day!

Who ever first advised to "stop and smell the roses" knew what they were talking about!

Today, instead of mechanically walking down to the weight room, I decided to work out by talking a walk/run along the lake shore. Considering the underpass is literally no more than two short blocks away from my apartment, I'm surprised this is the first time I made the effort to get out and explore a bit. Once I was out and well into a perfectly suitable New Mastersounds tune, I realized just how inspired I felt. Trying to keep myself from smiling and looking a little too touristy to all the other seasoned lake shore runners, I tried to blend in but couldn't help stopping and taking pictures or soaking in the scenery for a minute.

With my lack of attempts to ever break the normalcy of living in a big city: constantly feeling pushed, rushed and glared at, it was so refreshing to switch up my routine a little bit. Running through the museum campus, along the lake shore, up to Buckingham Fountain...it was such a good reminder that there is so much more to Chicago than "on the L, off the L" or "up the elevator, down the elevator".

Getting into a groove with my day-to-day activities is helpful and sometimes even necessary for me to keep everything in check. However, once I realize I'm doing nothing more than going through the motions, it's time to take a step back.

Being a type-A personality (sigh...) it's so easy for me to get caught up in the hustle bustle of such a big city. Changing my perspective this morning was a great eye-opener for me. It just goes to show that if you take the time to LET yourself break free of your "oh-so-necessary" schedule, your "already-trail-blazed" path-to-work or your "barista-has-my-coffee-order-memorized-I-come-here-so much" Cafe, you may be surprised at how refreshing it is.

And now, by means of showing off what a wonderful (until winter rolls around..) city I live in, cue pictures!

Best part is, Mom is coming to visit tomorrow night and I get to do it all over again :)

Until next time,

K

Krochet Kids International

For those of you who have not already checked out http://www.krochetkids.org/, you should definitely get on it. I got my hat in the mail today and thought it was a perfect time to share some information about this cause in attempt to spread the word!

Krochet Kids International is a non-profit organization that provides work and education in poverty-stricken countries such as Peru and Uganda. By simply teaching the skill of crocheting to people in need of a brighter future, this organization is giving many individuals just that. The cause is quickly growing and you can help it do so through buying merchandise through their website AND looking fashionable. :)

Here's mine!

A very special and personal thanks to Adong 'Esther' (http://www.krochetkids.org/projects/ladies/adong-estar/) for providing me with a beautiful hat to keep me warm this winter! What a unique experience KK provides by taking out the middle man (overly successful large corporations...) and making it possible to bring people that much closer together, putting the quality of human connection back into the act of buying and selling. 

Also, thank you Astin Green who, after being shocked to hear that I would rather have this for my birthday than something from Victoria Secret, graciously ordered this for me!

Just another example of the idea that it IS, in fact, possible to be fashionable and aware...

the inspiration

Coming across this bottle cap in my apartment Saturday night was the beginning of an important realization for me. . .

As we all know, with life being so messy, it is easy to get caught up in a constant search for "happiness" or contentment and even easier to throw a pity party for yourself when the search seems to come up short time and time again. Although "knowing" this for awhile now, and also officially deeming this blog a no-judgement zone, I can probably be considered as one of the biggest offenders of this.  

My mind has a knack for tricking me into believing that things are way worse than they realistically are. Here's the time when all you Freud-lovers out there tell me that I wasn't born with this way of thinking and have actually trained my mind to make these negative associations...and I would definitely agree with you. BUT the important thing is not how I came to think this way but what I am going to try and do about it now. 

I have, unfortunately, become so good at focusing on the negative, the hopeless, the stressful, the lack-there-of, the unorganized, the 'what didn't happen' as opposed to 'what DID', that it is now frighteningly automatic. And again, as we all know, we cannot always change the things that happen to us but (cliché

  alert!) we can change the way we think about them. 

So, obviously not wanting my life to pass me by this way, I've decided I want to try and start looking at things a little differently. To laugh things off, embrace the bad with the good, be a person I'm proud to be. There seems to always be that phase in someone's life where they start becoming overly aware of all the unfortunate things that life has to bring and begin to feel entitled in their decision to focus on merely those experiences. I have absolutely been in this phase for too long now and it's time to put an end to it; by coming to terms with the fact that life IS messy, unpredictable and down right frustrating at times and choosing to change my state of mind. 

I'm sure I will fail at this, a lot at first but I'm going to try. For myself, for my friends and family, for everyone. 

With that "food for thought" being said and my blog officially started, choose to follow my day to day ramblings if you would like but this isn't so much for the readers as it for myself: a reason to look for and make note of the blessings that are in my life every single day, a way to put my thoughts into words and make them real, valid and possibly meaningful reminders of what is important or interesting to me and whatever else I feel is even remotely cool enough to share with the world! Take what you wish from my posts, leave the rest and thank you in advance to all that will undoubtedly show endless love and support as I try to follow through with this particular daunting task and the many countless others that are sure to follow ...

For today, it's all state of mind.