Life Update: Purr like a cat style...edited edition

  This weekend I went to College Station to see friends and watch the heartbreak that was A&M v. OSU. The sickening feeling I had was too familiar. I hated watching them fall apart to OSU again. But, as Ags learn to do, I brushed it off and had a really great weekend. You can't help but get all warm and fuzzy inside being in College Station.

A few highlights from the weekend....

•  Hanging out with John. I had such a great time with him. He also said one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. It went something like this...

JT: (watching Tannehill on TV) "Hey Katie you should marry Ryan Tannehill"
Me: "Ohmygosh do you think he would like me?"
JT: "Yeah, I think he would."

Then the conversation spiraled out of control to the point where it was decided that John would quit his classes and social life and his sole purpose would be to track down Tannehill and tell him that he found his future wife, muah, and set up our rendezvous. Today I texted John to ask him for his address.
      
         His response...
      
         JT: "Are you getting married?"
         Me: "Um have you found Ryan Tannehill yet?"
         JT: "Touche...I have not"

         I love me some JT

• Tailgate fun with margaritas in bag form and foam fingers

• Staying with and getting to hang out with my new friend Mary. She had three tests so our hang out time wasn't nearly enough, but I'm ob freaking sessed with her. She's really sweet and beautiful. She writes lovely notes. And I think she gets Katie J and I's humor...I hope. 

• Seeing so many friends and I had a lot of conversations with people I enjoyed. Some were really sweet. Some were very funny. Some made me purr with happiness. Yeah kinda exactly  like a cat but more metaphorically. 

• Doing a classic NG trip that didn't involve a whole lot of drama. All around fun night. This picture was taken at one of the bars and I love it. I want it in large poster form and I want to hug Cliff for being on my wavelength. 

  * if you want an adequate view of some crazy eyes I suggest you click the picture*

Life at home has been sorta surprisingly pleasant. Besides getting in pointless tiffs with my mother over Hawaiian BBQ sauce it has been lovely. I've been trying to rock a positive attitude about it so I think it helps. I'm getting into the swing of things at work and I really do enjoy doing my job well and being all assistanty and such. I don't know how long this will last but I kinda like wearing big girl grown up clothes and I'm using that as an excuse to make trips to Target during my lunch break. I lack big girl grown up clothes.

Sidenote: If you know me even a little bit you know that I hate shopping. Yet, Target seriously makes me all happy and fluttery inside, and I not so metaphorically purr like a cat walking inside. Its a safe shopping space. 

  I'm enjoying my guiltless reading because I don't have to worry about studying or applying for graduate school. It really is one of the best feelings I've felt in a long time. Semi Grad Perk! I'm also loving Zumba class at the gym. I really feel like I would be the last person to admit it but it really is a great workout. I told Katie J that my goal is to "make my arms look good when I dance." I may have actually used the word "sexy," but that is a bit ambitious. And by good I mean not like a special white girl. I think its because my arms are like 2 inches too long for my body so I just look awkward when I try to move my legs, my butt, and my arms at the same time. My arms seem to be the first part not able to keep up so they kinda limply flail where they want while the rest of me concentrations fiercely on my feet. My arms look kinda something like they did when I had my major freak out on the Jumbtron at an A&M game my sophomore year. If you know the story, picture that. Yet, I shall Zumba on! 

That really is my life right now and I'm liking it. Totally do-able and its been awesome to feel prayers being answered. 

Today I read the quote "God is easy to find. Look wherever there is love." 

Reading this couldn't have come at a better time and it made my day. I sat there and prayed with it for a while. Its not mind blowing or anything I didn't know, but it was reassuring. It will be reassuring in times of prayer and adoration or when I'm in Mass and I'm frustrated because I'm not "feeling" the things I want to. For the times I feel disconnected from God I know I can just look to all of the love He has put in my life and encounter Him. It makes my soul purr like a cat when I think about all of the love in my life. Sorry I can't stop with the purring. 

And on that note its bed times. Pip pip! Cherrio!  

Dear Diry, Number 3

4-16-97


My brother was born it 
was the happy
day 

I thought this one was sweet! I wish I had underlined, bolded, and drew a fluffy cloud around "the" so it had a little more significance. THE HAPPY DAY! Next year on my brother's birthday I'm going to deem it an official Cugini Holiday and call it MICHAEL'S BIRTHDAY: THE HAPPY DAY and everyone will say "Merry Happy Day to you, good sir!". I'm glad I deemed the day my brother was born as a happy one. Sadly (and strangely), I only have a few memories of that day so I'm also ticked 2nd grade Katie didn't write more. What's a diary for, kid??
* This post was actually from 2nd grade.


So I write one sentence about my brother's birth but I write an ENTIRE page on Princess Diana's death. I didn't even know who she was until she died, but I do remember being very confused about it because I had no idea that "real princesses" existed. I think it upset me a lot because I find out princesses are real then she died. Not so fairytalelish.

dear diry   8-31-97

princess diana died today
it was very sad
the driver was going a 150 miles an hour
they hit the pole and she died. 
The bodyguard was still a live
but he could not toke so he could not tell the stoy because his
mouth go hurt
it was very sad.
she was very nice and helpful

Complete with a picture I cut out of the newspaper.


dear diry 9-5-97


Dear Diry 


Paul say I was nice 
he didnt let some other girls cut
but he let me cut

Ok people. When I read this entry I laughed so hard I snorted. First, allow me to translate the situation a little bit. I think what happened was other girls tried to cut in front of Paul in the lunch line but he didn't let them and instead let me cut. I don't know how 3rd went for yall but at our 3rd grade this was clearly a flirtatious gesture. He then told me I was nice. This day was a good day for 3rd grade Katie. But by far the best part is the illustration. This is a piece of work.

"Your nice"
...."I am"
I'm glad we were on the same page

I said this with many different inflections trying to understand why I would draw something like this....(and yes I know I'm using "your" incorrectly)

"your nice"       "your nice"           "your nice"                                            
..."I am?"          ...."I am?!?!?"   ....*shrugs nonchalantly* "I am"      

"your nice"
....."I am!!!" (in a completely geeking out, thank goodness you finally noticed sorta way!)

So. good.

For the record: I was nice. I was too nice. I would run home to my mom and cry about how ANOTHER KID got in trouble and yelled at by the teacher. Something was seriously wrong with me. That reminds me of a story that I'll leave you with...

 I was a sheltered child. After the first day of kindergarden (half day kindergarden actually. That shat was amazing) I was riding home on the bus and I sat next to a fellow kinder named Drew. Drew was a girl. As soon as we sat down in our seat girl Drew whiped out a pencil and started POKING HOLES IN THE SEAT!!!!!!! There just aren't enough exclamation points to convey my horror. I vividly remember being completely disturbed by what I was witnessing. What kind of savage pokes holes in a bus seat? Wasn't she afraid of getting YELLED at? It was a complete monstrosity to kinder Katie. Now I'm not proud of this next moment because no one likes a tattle-tale, but I had to make the madness stop. So I said to girl Drew, "if you don't stop I'm going to tell the bus driver."

She then turned to me

and said

"SHUT. UP"

And I had NO idea what this meant. But, I did shut up. The rest of the bus ride I quietly contemplated what this could mean. When I got home I asked my mom what "shut up" meant, and she told me that it was a very mean way to tell someone to be quiet. I remember feeling so hurt and confused. Why would someone be mean to me? I burst into tears and cried for a very long time.

It has been a long, hard road from that moment (the moment I learned that people could be mean) to develop a semblance of a backbone. But now I can laugh at that story so all is well :]

Goodnight!

Dear Diry, Number Two

Haave you met 3rd grade Katie? Obsessed with a boy named Paul.

dear diry     9-3-97


thiers a boy I like in my class hes so cute 
but hes likes Jese 
thats heart bracking 
his name is PAUL

That illustration is heart bracking! There must have been some serious angst to inspire that drawing.


Dear Diry        9-4-97

I think Paul like me a little but still 
likes Jese I think he likes me 
secod     2 

I 

Ok, I have serious beef with this entry. Did 3rd grade Katie have no self-esteem? No self worth? Who gets excited about being second fiddle?

I want to sing Katie Perry's "Firework" to 3rd grade Katie, give her a hug, and tell her to move on!

That's all for now :]

Guest Blog on How to Lose a Girl In One Date!

Hallo there!

     If you don't read Elise's blog "How to Lose a Girl in One Date"....

1. Go read my guest blog post called "It started off, 'Hey cutie, where you from?"
2. Then go read the rest of her blog. It's hilarious and amazing.
3.  If you have any stories that can and should be published on H2LG1D, get in touch with Elise! She needs stories to keeping the blog running...I would hate for her to resort to seeking out the randos and the bad dates just for the sake of  a good story :]

How to Lose a Girl in One Date

Dear Diry, Number One

This week I have been cleaning out and organizing closets at my house. This is one of those tasks that once I'm in the zone I am committed, I can't stop and I LOVE IT. I'm obsessed. I love throwing things out that I don't need/use anymore and I love finding old treasures. Finding some of those treasures has inspired a new blog post series I'll be doing called...


"Dear Diry" (pronounce [dur-re]) That's how I spelled diary in 3rd grade. I stumbled across my old diaries from 3rd, 4th, and 7th-8th grade. (apparently I gave it up 5th and 6th). I can't explain to you how hard I've laughed reading these. And sometimes when you're home alone and you are rolling on the floor laughing you feel like a loser. But they are that funny. Anyways, I want yall to meet 3rd grade and 4th grade Katie. She is amazing. So we'll be playing this game...Haaave you met 3rd grade Katie? Say it like this


So in chronological order I will periodically do a "Dear Diry..." post to share my childhood thoughts. Without further ado...


Here's the front and back cover. It was Lisa Frank and it was amazing. I was too lazy to go back up stairs and get the lock but this diary was locked up with a chunkin' MasterKey lock. This was serious business. So is the sweet alien sticker on the back. 

Serious. Business.

6-17-1996

Dear Diry,

  

some time I fel like MY mom and dad are not my mom and Dad

22-year old Katie: I remember having this fear that I was adopted. 

7-1-1996

I inagi I wus in the horse olipis

22 year old Katie: Allow me to translate. I imagine I was in the horse olympics. 

This is not the last time we will encounter my 3rd grade imagination. It involved horses a lot. And for the record, I haven't the slightest clue what the horse olympics are, but I wish I did.

Complete with illustration. 

Then something strange happens. My handwriting gets mysteriously better between 8-13-96  and 9-1-96. 

Katie J thinks that maybe before I was writing with my left hand and then figured out I was right handed. I have NO idea how my penmanship improved so quickly, but I'm not complaining.

8-13 translates to "my grandpa took me to see Pinocchio. The real one" (a version of Pinocchio that wasn't animated came out in 1996). And I'm really glad I deemed the day I found out I was getting a baby brother a happy one. 

We'll end this Dear Diry here. But, believe me those are not even close to the funniest ones :) 

First Bloggery

I've been saying I'll start my blog when I move home, get back from the vacation month that was August, and my physical therapy school apps are done. The latter is not QUITE true, but whatevs here I am! Finishing PT school apps will get its own glorious, joy filled blog post.

I feel weird about having a blog because I know my day-to-day life is not exciting, and I'm not blogging about DIY projects, motherhood, cooking, fashion, hilarity or anything remotely useful or interesting. People like me shouldn't have a blog. So why? Well, a few of my girlfriends and I decided to keep blogs to keep up with each other lives because we're all in different places now. I promise I'm not arrogant enough to think that anybody but you few gals will read it.

So why Semi Grad Bloggery? The other day I was thinking about how I don't feel like a "post grad". Sure, I graduated: check! Sure, I found a full-time job post graduation: check! Sure, I made the move away from College Station: check! But, ultimately, I want to go back to school for Physical Therapy so I don't really feel done. I don't really feel like I'm starting my life in the real world. I don't really feel like a big kid yet. Hence the SEMI. Sorta grad, half grad, Maybe grad?, and faux grad would have worked to. You get it.

So, now I find myself moved back in my parents house, not sure if/when I'll get into PT school, and completely single. completely. It's an unique time in my life. Unique is the only word I'm going to use for now. Unique is a mixed feelings and very loaded word right now. We'll just leave it at that. What I can say is that being home is where I need to be right now and I'm going to have to remind myself of that all the time. God is going to do something with this "unique" time and I'm really curious to see what those somethings are. Bring it.

All summer I had a on going list of Perks of Moving Home to psych myself up for this transition and to read it if/when things get rough on the home front to remind myself.  I think I'll share it with you. Now people, some of these things are BIG positives and some are so small you might think you want to maybe make fun of them. Don't. You might want to think they're dumb. They're not. Be nice to my list.  Behold ze list!

Reasons Why Home Might be Sweet:

1. Spend time with the Mom and Dad. I can't tell you how much the past year has made me appreciate this time. That may have to be another blog post entirely.
2. Spend time with the Brother. My broseph is 8 years younger to me. I think this next year is going to be AMAZING for our relationship and I couldn't be more excited. I want to be his friend. He's seriously a neat kid.
3. Watch the Broseph play high school sports. I want him to know his sister is proud of him.
4. Save ze monies. I'm paying for grad school. So home looks great
5. Close to Liv and her family. I love them.
6. Nice big bedroom and bathroom. After sharing bathrooms and rooms this will be niiiice. I shall miss Katie J and room sharing times. Those were the best.
7. I have Katie J and my 2 big girl teacher friends, Rebecca and Amelia, in Houston! So maybe I won't be a completely friendless ogre.
8. Time to read. I have not felt free to read in YEARS. I will have no school work or grad school apps pestering the back of my mind when I just want to spend an entire Sunday afternoon reading. SWEET GLORY!
9. A new car in the works, perhaps? I might get have to say good bye to Rhonda the Honda. More on that later.
10. Always having groceries. I can't adequately explain my hate for grocery shopping. Much like I can't explain my mother's strange love for it. It's what scientists would call a Symbiotic relationship.
11. Good coffee and creamer every morning. I don't plan on having coffee every morn but the option is nice. Dad makes sure of that.
12. Pool in our backyard. I heart that pool. We get along just fine.
13. DVR. Nuff said son!
14. Panera Bread a mile from my house. Katie J and I always said that College Station's greatest failure was not having a PB. I shall feast on that mac n cheese frequently.
15. Fun workout class at 24 fitness. I be up in the gym working on my fitness.
16. Time to write people letters. This is something that I used to do a lot early in college and I'd really like to do that this year. If you don't like snail mail something is wrong with you.

That is my list so far. I'll keep adding to it. I'm sure home will surprise me in a lot of ways, to which I say BRING IT. Ok, I'm feeling pretty accomplished with blog post numero uno.

Before I publish I just want to say that I have amazing friends and sometimes they just know the combination of a hippo pillow pet and flat Justin Bieber can actually make things seem less sad. Tanks Kblay and Katie J. When Katie J gave it to me she said "He's wearing a tux because he knows your worth it." She's funny.

Justin Bieber and the Gospel of John have been good for the soul lately. Who knew that combo would be so great? And just so we're clear...yes, I know I'm 5 years older than JB and no, I don't want him like that. I just wish we were friends. I've watch his movie 9.5 times. I dare you to watch it and not be Team Biebs after.

Upcoming Posts:
Adventures of New Orleans, New Braunfels, New York/Brooklyn/Cape May, NJ, Georgia, and Longview TX. I have only been home 5 days the month of August. Twas insane and amazing.

Dueces!

     

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