Bucket list

In a recent conversation with a dear friend of mine, I realized that the main source of my recent anxiety and restlessness has come from not knowing what my life holds for me once I graduate college next year. NEXT YEAR?!?!? REALLY?!?! . . . Dag.

Anyway, I knew part of it was because of a few of these big changes happening soon:
~I'm moving from the apartment I've lived in for three years -- and completely on my own; I'm not taking anyone with me. It's a brand new start.
~I am leaving in 105 days to go to Europe for 2 months. (I'm buying the plane ticket tomorrow! Eek!)
~My friend Nathan is coming home from his mission in October. . . . Don't read too much into that; it just means I won't be running to the mailbox every day after school. But trust me, that is a big change. I'll need to start finding alternative means of exercising. :)
~My little sister will be coming to college with me in August.
~I will turn 21 in September. And I will likely spend my 21st birthday drinking root beer. Though I guess that isn't a change, but the 21 thing is still a milestone I guess.

There are others, too, but those are some of the more significant ones.

As I was talking with my friend, I expressed the frustration and even a little bit of dread that I feel when I think about my life after college. I know what I want to do, but I don't know how I am going to obtain it. And, with all these big things happening, it is sometimes hard to see that the big things can keep on happening even after this important, exciting time in my life.

So, this wonderful friend of mine suggested that I make a bucket list. He said I should include short-term goals, like things that I want to see while I am in Europe, as well as long-term things -- just little (or big) things I want to do before I die.

I've started making that bucket list, and it really has eased some of the anxiety already. Especially because I'm on my way to a couple of them.

What I'm listing here are just a couple of the things on my "to do before I graduate college" bucket list, not including my goals for the study abroad:

1: Take an organ class. (Registered, Spring 2010)

2: Use the skills learned in the organ class to take carillon lessons in the fall (I really want to play the bell tower! And I've heard that the best s'mores are made by roasting the marshmallows on the big lights.)

3: Learn to sing like a black woman
4: Learn to play the harmonica (I purchased one last week. I'll be self-taught, and probably not very good, but it should be a blast!)
5. Kiss at least one boy. hahahahahaha. . . . That's just to freak my daddy out.

Anyway, moral of the story: I am excited to try new things and bring a little more music back in my life! Literally and figuratively. Wish me luck!

The end of an era.

Okay folks, it's official. I am moving after this semester is over.

Weird.

See, I've lived in the same apartment since I started college almost three years ago. This place has been host to so many wonderful memories with so many roommates, friends, and even family members who have come to mean so much to me. It really has become my home, and I am going to miss it.

But I am looking forward with excitement and great hopes for what spring term will bring me. The new place is WAY closer to campus, cheaper, and has other perks, like a weight room and an extra freezer. I think the freezer might be where I sleep if it gets too hot.

The main point of this post, though, is to say that I am actually ready for change. The things happening within the next year are so far beyond a new calling, a new set of roommates, and rearranged furniture. These are changes in my experience, my lifestyle -- my entire being. I am truly grateful to the Lord for the opportunities He has blessed me with these past several years, and especially for the upcoming ones and the feeling of absolute peace and security (rather than doubt and fear) that are assuring me that these changes, these decisions, are good ones. Turns out I can make decisions after all, and I know that the Lord guides me through them.

Things are happening, people. Big things.

My future husband . . . part 2

I know it seems like marriage is on the mind lately but really it's not. I just keep finding things that make me think of the type of person I want to marry (and therefore the type of person I would like to become).

Click -->here<-- to see the video that just made my week. No, scratch that -- life.

Moral of the story: I want to take care of myself and keep developing my talents so that this can be my husband and me after 62 years of marriage. Heck, I want this to be my husband and me forever! Enjoy.

My future husband

Today as I was walking from my last class to go to work again, I saw a woman with her husband, who was pushing a stroller with their crying baby inside. The father tried everything from baby talk to changing the pace of his pushing the stroller, but to no avail. That was one cold, unhappy baby. But then he started skipping and singing (I wish I could remember which song, but I don't) in a really silly voice. The baby still cried, but it was so much fun to see the happiness and laughter spread to everyone walking in the opposite direction. I've pretty much been smiling ever since then. That's when I realized how important it will be to me that my husband be just as silly, happy, and willing to sing and dance in public as I am. So all you men who take yourselves too seriously, go find yourself another woman. KthanksIstillloveyoubutbye.

New goal

So I've decided (at an inopportune moment, when I am trying to save every cent possible) that I want to learn to play the harmonica. Like, REALLY play the harmonica.

Any donations to the "get Katelyn a semi-nice harmonica" fund are appreciated.

I'll keep you updated on the progress.

In other news, I have just spent today mostly enjoying the last day off of school until April. Prayers are also appreciated. I'm in for the long haul now!

Also, belated happy Valentine's Day! Once I can get hold of some pictures, I'll have to post them. Until then, let's just say "chocolate on face = fantastic." Seriously.

As a final note on this post, I would just like to suggest that you never suppress a kind thought. Several times within the past couple of weeks, my day has been turned around just from something nice that someone has said to me. Always remember to tell people how much you appreciate and admire them. Tell people when you think they're beautiful or handsome or doing a great job at whatever it is they're doing. You can be the Lord's hands to lift and comfort in times of sadness or despair, and a kind word may be all it takes.