July 31, 2011

WebCam Love

She didn't much appreciate it at the time...
But I am absolutely positive that Kitty will cherish these photos a month from now when I'm back at school....
Or maybe I'm just flattering myself, and she'll continue her daily routine of ninja-sneaking her way into my room, and sleeping on the bed all day....
How about you?  Got any pets you miss dearly when you're away from them?  
(or is that just me and my unhealthy relationship with my cat?)
<3 Kiersten
PS.  Whatcha think of the new layout/blog name, friends?  I'll un-friend you if you don't love it.  Just kidding, but seriously...it took me two days.  Worth it?

July 28, 2011

Talk to Yourself (1)

Hello, Friends! 
So one week ago, I challenged you guys to start writing in a journal - whether it be a small notebook you carry with you, a spare piece of loose-leaf, or a computer document.  I challenged you to write down whatever it was you were thinking at the end of each day, and see how that affected you throughout the week.  And I took part too, creating a document on my laptop, and trying to write each night. 

Of course, with work and everyday life, and my own forgetfulness, there were a couple of nights where I forgot to write.  At the end of the seven days though, I think I can say that I'm glad I did it, and I'm going to continue trying to write every night.  I found that on the nights I did write, typing out everything that came to mind, in no order whatsoever other than the order in which I thought of them (and trust me...if anybody were to read it, they'd doubt that I am an English major), I fell asleep easier, and slept better.  Lately (and by lately, I mean over the past four or five years) I've had trouble falling asleep at night, and usually I wake up every couple of hours and find myself tossing and turning for another 45 minutes to an hour trying to fall back asleep.  And I have no illusions that this is due to anything other than one simple fact about me:  
I think far too much.  
There, I said it.  Honestly though, I do.  Every night I lie in bed and think about a million things, like what happened that day and what I could have done or said differently in specific situations, worry (I do a lot of that), my apparent "future", school, work, friends, family, my room and the fact that it (inevitably) needs to be cleaned, chores for the next day, taking pictures, did I choose the right major, and so on and so forth.  Until 1 in the morning, at which point I pass out from complete exhaustion, only to dream about everything that I'd spent the last three hours thinking about.
And I've tried everything - counting sheep, reading a book, imagining a broom sweeping all the thoughts out of my head (yeah...I did that...), trying to consistently think about one simple thing (like a toothbrush) until I fell asleep, etc. etc. etc.  

But this project was the first thing that worked.  The nights that I wrote everything I was thinking, I fell asleep much quicker.  Partially, I'm sure, because I'd tired myself out a bit.  But also because I'd exhausted my mind of everything it had stored from the day to think about.  I'd already written it all down, therefore thinking about it.   
And besides that, I think that "talking to myself" has helped me in one other way:  it helps me to work things out in my head.  If I'm writing it down, that means that - for at least a couple of minutes - I'm focused on that one issue, and that time plus writing down every relevant though, helps me to work it out in my mind, and calm myself down.  It helps me to process all the crazy things flying through my head at all times, because when I see something written down, I judge it more harshly than when I'm thinking it.  I can see some ridiculous fear typed out on my screen and think to myself "Kiersten, calm down.  That's not even legitimate.", and as ludicrous as that sounds, it helps me.


So how about you?  I want to know how you guys felt about talking to yourself this past week.  Is it something you'd do again?  What'd you think about it?  Link me to your post about it!

<3 Kiersten

July 27, 2011

Write on Wednesday (3)

Here she was again...back at the same tree she'd stood under ten years earlier, still dreaming about a future she had no clue what she wanted for.  Young, and starry eyed, she'd been about to get what she'd wanted for as long as she could remember - to get out of this town, and on to something which she could only imagine was so much bigger and better than what she'd always known.  She'd been so ready for a change, after 18 years of the same things and people every day.  But didn't everyone want change at that age?  Wasn't that what they all spent their lives dreaming about from the time they first realized that change was an option?  And in the end, when she finally got what she'd spent so long working towards...it wasn't at all what she'd written in her letters about.  The letters which she was now here to dig up and read, as her 18-year-old self's 28th birthday present.
  

Hey friends!  So it's Wednesday, and therefore my third attempt at Write on Wednesday!  The prompt this week was a photo of a tree, and the command to write whatever came to mind when looking at that photo.  (the photo above is mine - not the prompt photo!)  I thought, originally, of myself and a trail near my home.  Of course...the story ended up being nothing to do with me, but it got me started.  I'm not terribly happy with the end result, but it got me writing, and that was the point.  So in my mind, a mission accomplished!  (Although now that I'm thinking about it, I'm considering other options I could have had with the prompt...  hmm, an idea to pursue?)

So how were your Wednesdays, friends?  Did you participate in WoW, or did you write about something else you'd love to share?   

<3 Kiersten

July 23, 2011

What's for Dinner?

Hello friends!  How has your weekend been?  Wonderful, I hope!!

Yesterday was my day off, and I spent the evening with my wonderful friends Heather and Eric.  We decided to make dinner, since Heather had found this great recipe via a video she stumbled to.  And of course, I photographed the whole process for you!
Now, for anybody that knows me personally, you're aware that I can't cook or bake anything legitimate.  Honestly, I can't even peal a potato.  I know - this is a serious problem which needs to be rectified immediately.  And last night was one step towards that!
So anyways, first Heather made a smoothie.  I suppose the technical flavor was strawberry-banana.  But we're the type of people who like to raid cabinets, and so the mixture consisted of much more than strawberries and bananas.
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-a bag of frozen strawberries
-2 1/2 bananas
-a few blueberries
-2 peach-flavored popsicles
-creamer
-a little bit of water, just to make the blend easier
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Let me tell you guys.  I was doubting the legitimacy of those smoothies.  But they were delicious!!! 
So after the smoothies were made, we started work on the appetizers - mozzarella balls.  Another recipe Heather found online while stumbling.  :)   These were made up of:
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-Dough
-Mozzarella
-Pepperoni
-A butter/pepper mixture 
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Finally, after that, came the main course: Mozzarella Chicken.  Yet another recipe we have Heather's stumbling addiction to thank for. 
Because it was dinner, this of course had plenty more ingredients!
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-Chicken 
-Mozzarella cheese
-Tomatoes
-Basil (we didn't include this, though)
-Olive Oil
-Flour
-Egg
-Garlic
-Parmesan cheese
-Peppers (side dish)
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Unfortunately, I had to leave at about this point in the preparation, so I never had a chance to try to chicken. I've heard from Heather, however, that it was delicious, and it certainly looked like it!  So definitely worth trying if you like chicken and mozzarella!  

So how were your Friday nights, friends?  Did you do anything exciting?  I'd love to hear about it!!

<3 Kiersten


July 21, 2011

Talk to Yourself

Hey guys!  

So I know today is Thursday, but instead of doing Awkward and Awesome, I have a challenge for you (and, on that note, for myself).  Recently I've been thinking about writing a journal.  It's something that I've done on and off for most of my life, and I've always loved the idea of having a journal to look back at twenty years from now and read.  To see what I wanted then, and if it matches up with what I have and what I still want.  It never really seems to last, because I usually feel like Wow I sound pathetic.  Why am I talking to myself?  But that's the thing.  I do talk to myself, and if I can take the liberty of assuming this, I think we all do.  My mind is running for most of the day, thinking of a million different things.  I have found myself writing that's crazy on a customer's check instead of my usual thank you because I was thinking about a million "somethings" other than the tables I had waiting for me. 

And here's the thing.  If I'm talking to myself all day anyway, in a completely unorganized and distracting fashion, why not keep a journal of all these thoughts?  Maybe it will help me to focus it all so that I don't find myself rereading entire chapters in a book because I was busy thinking about everything I had to do the next day instead of processing what I was reading.  And as an added bonus, it'll give me one more reason (aside from this blog) to write on a regular basis.  You can always improve on your writing, and like I've always been told, you're your own worst critic.  Maybe if I'm reading over my own grammar errors and improperly formed sentences every day, it'll help me to construct something better.


So here's my challenge for this week, until next Thursday night:  keep a journal, separate from your blog.  Write everything in it that you talk to yourself about (because I know you do), even if it seems silly to write it down.  Does it make you feel better when you're done?  Does it help you organize the chaotic mess that your mind is (or perhaps I'm deflecting the current status of my own mind onto you...)?  
For the next seven days, try to write every night, even if it's only a couple of sentences.  Next Thursday, blog about how you think it helped (or was detrimental towards) you and your every-day life.  You don't have to talk about what you wrote, just how it affected you that week.  Sound good?

I'm putting a button on the "Cool Stuff I Do" tab, so grab it!  And make sure to link back here so everyone can join in! :)
<3 Kiersten

July 20, 2011

Write on Wednesday (2)

Hey guys, so today's Wednesday and you know what that means, right?  My second attempt at Write on Wednesday!  This little project was started over at InkPaperPen, and each week there is a new prompt for anybody interested to attempt.  Sounds cool, right?
Well, this week's prompt was to log onto your social networking site of choice (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and use the first status update you see as a prompt.  I didn't feel comfortable using any of my friends' status', so I used the most recent update on Lamebook which for me at least, happened to be a photo.  I started the prompt at 10:56, and finished at 11:01.  Five minutes. :)

Source

Eggs.
That was the most recent "love note" topic.  For whatever reason, Natalie's husband, Ryan, had been leaving these notes around the house recently.  Usually they didn't mean anything. 
Natalie opened the fridge, looking for the carton of eggs she'd bought at the PathMark this past weekend.  Sure enough, the carton was still there.  
She smiled, and turned back to her breakfast - an English muffin, toasted with peanut butter and honey on it, something Ryan always made fun of her for eating.  He never seemed to believe her when she told him how good it tasted, and swore he was allergic to peanuts whenever she asked him to try it.  An excuse which the couple's doctor had informed them was just that - an excuse with no truth to back it up.  But she supposed it was just one more of the funny things the two of them shared.  
Reaching out for a glass of chocolate milk that wasn't there, Natalie realized she had nothing to drink, and turned back to the fridge to grab the milk.
As a last minute decision, she decided to boil a couple of eggs.  It was September, but maybe they could scrounge up some leftover egg dye and have some fun tonight.  She pulled out the eggs, and as she opened it, realized that they were all multicolored plastic eggs from March's egg hunt over at the community center.
"I guess we were out after all..."

__________________________________________________________________________________

Want to join us?  Jump on over to InkPaperPen to add your name to the list of participants for this week!

<3 Kiersten

July 18, 2011

Weekly Gratitude (2)

Hey guys!  Sorry I'm running kind of late with this post - I just got home from work! 
This week I am thankful for:

1)  The fact that my brother is having an awesome time in Greece.  You know, on a cruise ship...where there are no riots taking place.  I'm a worrier, and I'll admit, I was scared!  But he's having a great time, and will be home in less than a week with some amazing stories!

2)  My new tripod :)  I know I mentioned this the other day, and as of yet I haven't had a chance to try it out because of work.  However, once I do, I promise, you guys will be the first to know!  (I was outside about ten minutes ago searching in vain for the moon, but there's too much cloud coverage to get a picture of it)

3)  My friends.  And the fact that even if it's been a while since I've seen them, we still mesh back together perfectly when we do see one another!  

4)  Now this is going to make me sound like a Harry Potter Generation nerd.  But.  The fact that the movie was good.  Okay, that's an understatement.  Amazing!  I was pretty worried that because it was the final movie, they would somehow butcher it.  But Rowling helped to produce it and write the script and all, so it came out great!  I was very happy with it, and, in full disclosure, cried a couple of times.  Only briefly and quietly, in a way that nobody seemed to notice.  But I still think that says something about the impact Harry had on my generation.  

5)  Pinterest, and the fact that I am starting to get used to it and understand it better.  I actually love having a place to catalog all the lovely images I find throughout the virtual world so that when I want to use it for something, I have it readily available!  I'm thinking a once-a-week Pinterest-Find Post?  What are your thoughts on that?

6)  And finally...you guys!!  It really does mean SO much to me to know that somebody's reading the things I write on here.  And it means even more when you take the time to leave me a little note!  I love getting to read them every day!  So thank you soooo much!!! :)

So what are you guys thankful for this week?  Let me know in the comment box, and don't forget to link up with Love, Life, Lace if you decide to join in on all the fun!

<3 Kiersten

July 16, 2011

Awkward and Awesome (1)

This is my first week trying out the Awkward and Awesome project!  Exciting, right?  The project was started by Sydney over at The Daybook.  Usually, the posts are supposed to be on Thursday, so I'm a little late this week.  Better late than never though, right?  So here goes nothing

AWKWARD:
- Being late on my first Awkward and Awesome post
- The bulkiness of my new tripod
- The fact that I still haven't seen the Harry Potter movie...
-....and that Harry Potter is officially over, after having been around for more than half of my life
- Figuring out the time difference between here and Greece so that I don't text my brother at 3am.  
- Trying to figure out how to use Pinterest

AWESOME:
- My new tripod!
- The U2 concert (definitely worth the one-year delay!!)
- The quad that I'm going to be living in with my roommates this Fall
- All the lovely comments you all have been leaving!  I love them <3
- Pinterest
- The ridiculously enormous impact that Harry Potter had on my generation

So how about you, Friends?  What's awkward or awesome about your life?  Make sure to link up here, and at The Daybook!!

<3 Kiersten

July 13, 2011

Write on Wednesday (1)


Hey guys!  So today is my first day doing a new project that I found on Ink Paper Pen.  The project is a way to get ourselves writing something at least once a week, and hopefully in the process, it'll make me write more often than that.  Each week, there will be a new prompt for anybody participating to write on.  The only rule is that you read the other participants' posts.  Sounds good, right?

So anyway, the prompt this week was to pick a song and, after listening to the first line or two, give yourself five minutes to write whatever comes to mind.  You could either pick a favorite song of yours, or turn on the radio and go without whatever you hear playing first.  For my piece, I chose Come on Get Higher by Matt Nathanson.  It's the first song I heard by him, and I love it - it's a very lyrical song, which I thought would be helpful in prompting me to write something.  

___________________________________________________________

"I miss the sound of your voice.  And I miss the rush of your skin.  And I miss the feel of the silence as you breathe out and I breathe in."

I wasn't the one singing the song.  I hadn't even been the one to think the words, at least not the way he said them.  But I felt them.  I felt every beat of them and more.

I missed the smell of your hair, and the sound of your breathing while you slept next to me at night in our queen-sized bed.  I missed waking up next to you just a couple of minutes before you opened your eyes, having it all rush at me like a wave - how much I loved you in that moment.  In every moment.

I missed swapping sections of the New York Times with you each morning, lying in bed together.  I miss arguing over whose turn it was to jump out of bed at 7am, to go grab the newspaper off of the cold cement front step, still barefoot and in pajamas, before rushing back inside and under the covers to pretend we'd never left in the first place.

I wish you'd never left in the first place...

_______________________________________________________

I know it's not very well put together - such is my unthought out (is that a word?) writing sans editing. 
But damn, it felt good to write it!  
So thank you if you stuck with me this far to read my short first post.  And welcome if you're here as a result of Write On Wednesdays - thanks for stopping by!
Write On Wednesdays

<3 Kiersten

July 12, 2011

Adventure

It was July 3rd, and we could see so many firework displays right in front of our eyes, as though the flares were being shot off just for us, as though we were the only ones watching them.  Every few seconds, one of us would point out another blue or red streak shooting up into the night sky.  
We could see everything from where we were.  The traffic lights a mile away, directing the traffic at 1am in all different directions.  We could see the houses, their lights going off slowly, one by one as each different family went to sleep.  
It was beautiful.  It was the adventure I'd been itching for. 
<3 Kiersten

July 11, 2011

Weekly Gratitude (1)

Hello, Friends!
So if you've been here before, you've probably seen these posts from me in the past.  I'm starting back at "1" because I've been spotty about these posts lately.
  If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, Weekly Gratitude posts were something started by Tatiana at Love, Life, Lace.  The point is to reflect, once a week, on the things or people about your life that you are grateful for.

This week, I am grateful for a few things:

1)  About a month ago, I started a new job as a waitress at a locally owned restaurant.  I had never waitressed before, so to begin with, I'm thankful that I was hired!  Most restaurants won't hire somebody without previous experience in the field, and this restaurant was willing to train me!  
So far, I absolutely love it!  My coworkers are great, and I love the job itself.  So I'm grateful for that too!  

2)  Lately, I've been noticing a few new readers.  It's not much, certainly not as many as most of the blogs I read have, but it still means a lot to me.  Comments make me smile every time the little button pops up, and I really do love reading what you have to say!

3)  My friends.  Especially simple things like nights watching Titanic and playing Monopoly.  
I miss my friends at school so much, but at the same time, I love being able to see my friends from home all the time.  

What are you thankful for this week, Friends?  If you do decide to write about it, make sure too link it up at Love, Life, Lace, and let me know too!

<3 Kiersten

July 10, 2011

Music

Hello Friends!  How are you all?  Did you have a wonderful weekend?  
I worked Friday and Saturday, but today I got to spend time with one of my best friends and the four kittens that she rescued and is trying to find a home for.

Last night at work was the first night I closed the restaurant since I started this job.  And, sparing too many details, I loved it.  I spent the night dancing along to music with co-workers I love, and still managing to work.  Even at 3am when Amber picked me up and we headed to the local Giant for some midnight snacks, I was still dancing to Hey There Delilah, because in my head I was hearing Tao Cruz.  
And all day today, I've been listening to my iTunes, and downloading new music.  

Music fuels me, and that's not to say that I am a musical person in even the slightest sense.  I'm not.  I'm completely tone-deaf, despite three years of piano lessons.  In grade school, I ended up joining the Hand-Bells Club because it meant that all I had to do was hi-light my notes and remember when to shake my particular bells.  The "instrument" really didn't require any sort of skill on my part.  

But I love music, and I suppose that really goes without saying because frankly, who doesn't "love" music?  Music is an enormous part of our culture that could not possibly be removed.  It's not even just our culture, more like human-kind on a very basic level.  People have been creating music for as long as our existence has been recorded, and I'm sure for longer than that.

It is honestly one of the few things that ties all of us together, that we all have in common.  When you meet somebody new, one of the first questions they ask you is "what kind of music do you like?".  I've even seen the question pop up on job applications.  It has almost become like a judge of character, or personality.  The music that we listen to speaks as to what type of person we are.  The idea of a person who doesn't "love" music is almost inconceivable, to the point where it has been used as a point of interest in the movie Superdad   as a descriptive factor in a character's psychosis.


We have websites, such as Pandora that are entirely dedicated to the spreading of music.  Concerts attract millions of people, and raise even more money just from the sale of tickets.  Most of the posters we hang in our rooms are of bands we love, and the iPod was one of the most lucrative electronics ever invented.  There are newspaper columns and even entire magazines dedicated to the discussion of popular artists.  We listen to it while we drive, and there have been movies where there are no words - only music, but never visa versa.  When we're angry, we listen to our favorite song ridiculously loud, and when we get together to have a party, people feel uncomfortable without music playing.  The type of music that people listen to can go on to define a generation, and Michael Jackson is likely more celebrated than Ronald Reagan.  
We all love music, to the point where it is an ingrained part of who we are and of what defines us.

So here's my question for you guys.  What music do you love?  The other day, Tara guest-posted about Maroon 5, a band that the two of us love.  I'm sure you all have a favorite band, a song that is special to you. So tell me about it!  
Music is one of the first things we learn about a person, and I want to know about you guys.  So tell me, what shows up on your Most Played list on iTunes?

<3 Kiersten

July 8, 2011

Tara: Guest Post

Hey guys!  
So I know the weather outside is terrible right now (at least where I am, it's pouring and thundering), so why don't you curl up, and read Tara's from Green-Eyed Opinions guest-post that I promised!
Tara is one of my favorite bloggers, and yesterday I was lucky enough to guest-post on her blog.  Today, it's her turn.  And personally, I think she wrote a great piece!
_______________________________________________

Hey! I'm Tara and I blog over at green-eyed opinions.  I'm so glad that Kiersten was kind enough to let me guest blog on her blog. :)

So, if you've read both Kiersten and I's posts, you can tell that we're both Maroon 5 fans. She even listened to the group when they were called Kara's Flowers. I didn't even know that that was their original name, but let's just say that I like the name Maroon 5 better. Anyways, I first started getting into the band (although my mother was somewhat a fan before) when I was watching American Idol and one of the contestants performed This Love, one of my favorite songs of theirs. I immediately went on iTunes and checked out some of their other songs, such as Makes Me Wonder and She Will Be Loved. It took a little while for me to get adjusted to them and check out their songs, but I fell in love with the band, fast.

Although I used to play piano and clarinet (briefly), I really don't have much technical music knowledge. But, I do know the difference between what a guitar and a bass sound like, and lemme tell you, the bassist in this band is pure genius. If you listen to songs like Misery (in the chorus), you can hear the bass jammin' away. And besides Adam Levine, he's probably the mastermind behind the band. But, the background music isn't the only reason why I like the band. Adam Levine's voice is one of the most unique ones I've ever heard. It's kinda like Adele, (whom I love as well!) just in a male form. It's very smooth, like butter or honey. I know that's a cheesy comparison, but if you listen to some of the songs, you can definitely hear what I'm talking about.

Album-wise, I have to say, they've done pretty well. A band's first album is always really shaky, because nobody really knows how it's gonna sell. But, the albumSongs About Jane (their first album) is really diverse and it's a great first impression to leave on someone if it's their first time listening. I would call Maroon 5 a band that sings about love 99.9% of the time, but in different situations. For example, Wake Up Call is a song that shows the trust side of a relationship, wondering if whether or not your partner is cheating. In the song's case, Adam's singing about him finding his partner/girlfriend/whatever with another guy. Hence his angry tone, the strong bass & guitar, and, well, the lyrics.

Hands All Over is the new album of theirs that came out last fall, and I have to say, it's pretty good. I'm not one to listen to raunchy songs, but most of the songs (you can judge it by its title, in this case) are somewhat obscene. Even when I went to an outdoor concert of theirs in my area, Adam was making some jokes in between songs that are most definitely not rated G. But all I really care about in the end is the catchy factor of the song, and I have to say, the album passes if judged on that. There are songs in there that you won't be able to get out of your head for days, Maroon 5 fan or not, like Hands All Over and I Can't Lie (one of my personal faves! love the R&B feel).

So, there's my little rant about Maroon 5. They may be inappropriate at times, but they're a great band on musical terms. :)

-Tara

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So what'd you guys think?  Let me know, and make sure to stop over at Tara's blog to let her know as well!!
<3 Kiersten

July 7, 2011

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Hey guys!  So in case you didn't know and haven't already seen it, I guest posted today over at Tara's blog Green-Eyed Opinions!  So go check that out ASAP - both my post, and her blog.  It's one of my favorites! :)  And look out on here too, because Tara's going to be guest posting here tomorrow!  I want the topic to be a surprise, but it's about something we both love, so look for that!

And if you're coming here from Tara's blog, thanks so much for visiting!!  Please comment and let me know you were here because that way I can follow you back to your lovely blogs, and well, to be honest, I just love comments!  So thanks again for stopping by - it really does mean a lot to me!  And while you're here - check out my giveaway that's going on right here!  

And while we're on the subject of awesome giveaways, check out Alivia's over at Alivia Thinks This:!!  Alivia's is another blog that I absolutely love to read, and this giveaway is so awesome!  She's giving away, to one lucky winner, an MP3 copy of the new Matt Nathanson album, Modern Love.  If you haven't heard it yet, go listen!  Right this minute!  I'll wait.  
The whole CD is wonderful, but I think that my favorite song on it (at least so far) is either Room at the End of the World or Drop to Hold You!  So go check that out ASAP, because the giveaway ends tomorrow!  :)

So that's all the real news for today, loves.  I do have one question for you guys though:  I've been reading Alivia's outfit posts lately (and I love them) and yesterday, I finally got a bunch of new summer clothes that I am in clothes-love with!  What would you guys think of me attempting an outfit post?  Yay?  Nay?  Let me know in the comment box!!!

<3 Kiersten

July 6, 2011

Fireworks

Finally, after three hours of large parties coming in for dinner one after the other and all of us running around like headless chickens trying to get everything done, the restaurant had emptied out.  Aside from a couple of people at the bar, the only people left were the employees.

My last table for the night had just left, and I was busy cleaning up before I could leave for the night.  It was almost 10pm, and the fireworks were about to begin down the street, a final celebration of Independence Day of 2011.  I loved fireworks, but I was in the back of the kitchen washing dishes, and couldn't hear them about to start.  

I was collecting the now clean silverware from the dishwasher when my manager walked in, and told me to go outside to watch the fireworks with the other server on duty.  So I finished up what I was doing, and left out the side door where she was already standing, staring up at the dark sky and waiting.  On the other side of the restaurant, a couple of police officers had set up sparklers as road blocks, and were standing outside of their cars also watching the sky.  

A couple minutes later, the first firework lit up the sky, and the bartender joined us outside.  We wondered what it would be like to be sitting on the roof of the restaurant, watching these fireworks, and I guess we must have looked kind of strange to the few people walking down the street.  But I loved everything about that moment - the people I was standing there with, the job I have, the fireworks going off just behind the trees and buildings across the street.  
So how was your 4th of July, loves?  Did you get to see the fireworks?
<3 Kiersten

July 2, 2011

A Giveaway!!

Has anybody here ever sat in their bed, reading blogs and eating McDonalds at 2am because they just got off work?  No?  Just me then?  Okay, well, that's what I'm doing right now.  
And in doing so (the blogging part at least), I've been inspired by fellow blogger Tara over at Green-Eyed Opinions to host my very first giveaway!

Ever since I started blogging towards the end of last year, I've noticed how all my favorite blogs host giveaways every so often.  And I'll admit...I was a bit jealous (Not the right word, huh?  Well...it's 2am, give me a break!).  I wanted to host my very own giveaway, but I just could not think of what to give away, if you will!

Well, the lovely Tara gave me the perfect idea!  Guest-posting is such a fun idea, and a ton of bloggers seem to be joining in on the excitement lately. 
 So here's what Tara (and now I) offered:
 The winners (I'm going to pick two) of this giveaway will "win" the chance to guest post over here on my blog.  Now, I'm giving you a few ways to enter:

1)  Comment on this post 
2)  Follow me :) 
3)  Reblog the giveaway on your own blog, 
and double back here with the ink to let me know.
4)  Post the link to the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, or whatever,
and double back here to let me know.

I'm going to leave this giveaway open until July 14th, and I'll announce the winners on the 15th - so you have two weeks to enter!  
Sound good?  Okay!  Ready...set...ENTER!

<3 Kiersten 

July 1, 2011

Water for Elephants


It took me a little longer than expected, but on Wednesday night, I finished reading Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen.  And let me tell you guys, it was fantastic!  This may be my childish love of magic speaking, but I fell in love with this book.  I loved the protagonists, and right along with them I harbored a deep hatred for those characters who caused them trouble.  

I'm sure that plenty of you already know what Water for Elephants is about, that you've seen the movie or at the very least seen the commercials, but I promise - it's worth reading the book!  I started hearing about this book a few months ago at school when a friend of mine was reading it.  

So, in case you don't have a friend telling you to read the book, or haven't seen the commercials (they actually haven't been playing that many previews on TV...) the book is about a circus called The Benzini Brothers right around the Great Depression in America.  Although the entire story is told by Jacob Jankowski, the main character, it is told from two different points of view:  Jacob as a twenty year-old working for the circus, and Jacob as a "ninety...or ninety-three" (as he puts it in the beginning of the book) year-old man living in a nursing home and looking forward to a circus taking place down the block.  Both stories progress in a way that makes you excited to read both, unlike with many books told like this where you want to rush through one telling just to get to the other.  

Sara's writing makes everything in the book seem magical and exciting, and it's the type of book that I wish wouldn't end because I still want to be reading it!  Personally, I think that it is one of my favorite books, and definitely worth running out right now to get a copy for yourself!  (or logging on-line to download it if you have a Kindle)

So what are you guys reading, lately?  I'd love suggestions!!
Now that I'm finished with Water for Elephants, I'm working on another book on my list:  It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini.  I know that I seem to have a trend going - books that are also movies, but usually when a book becomes a movie, it's because the writer created an amazing story.  

<3 Kiersten