saving lives...and getting compensated for it!

I believe I mentioned this a while ago, but finally this Tuesday I was able to set up my first plasma donation. It went well, overall, although halfway through I made the slightest move, which was just enough to knock the needle out. The phlebotomist had to switch to my other arm which made her very nervous as I have very small, baby veins. Now, what she thought was my stronger arm is bruised, so the smaller vein will have to do as I have a follow up appointment today in just a couple hours. I'm going to talk to them today to see if I should continue the donations; the woman who stuck me Tuesday mentioned under her breath to another tech that I probably shouldn't have passed the exam with such small veins. But it sure feels good to finally have some cash in my wallet!

And the best part is, I'm saving lives!

as uncool as back to back posts may be...

...read something in my devotion book I had to share.

"prayer is the Christian's vital breath" The Lutheran Hymnal, 454 stanza 5

"Prayer is a natural to the Christian as breathing. If we're alive, we're breathing. If we're Christians, we're praying." -Meditations: Vol. 52, No. 1

How cool is that?

strawberry swing

I have news! Coldplay will be in town this summer (Houston, that is) and I'M GOING TO SEE THEM!

I woke up about an hour ago to numerous missed calls and texts from my little sister. I wasn't worried; generally on Saturday mornings she likes to play this little game called, "Wake up early and find out if Katelyn left her phone on silent!"

Needless to say, I did remember to put it on silent last night, and was not bothered by any of her calls. Not even the one at 7 in the morning. Anyways, when the first thing she asked me was, "Are you keeping your job this summer?" I wasn't expecting, "Want to come to a Coldplay concert with us?" to be the follow up question.

On last.fm, Coldplay is my third most played artist. Just to put in perspective how awesome this is for me, if you're not aware how brilliant Coldplay is. I do feel like I should listen to their two albums I don't own to prepare. But maybe not. I went to see Saving Abel/Shinedown/Buckcherry in the fall and had a blast, even though all I'd heard of any of the bands were their radio singles. You take what you can get in Lincoln. Maybe I should try getting into the local music scene.

Both my fiancee and roommate have abandoned me this weekend, so my plans revolve solely around me for a change. Unfortunately, that means a lot of cleaning, working on a monolouge, revising poetry, working out. These all would be fun to do...if I didn't have to do them for school. I even have an 11-week aerobic program I have to do for Nutrition.

I think I'm going to enjoy teaching so much more than...studenting. Yep.

I don't know how big campus is...

...but it's just not big enough for me right now. Accompanying my fiancee to his parents' house this weekend for some time to reconnoiter. While I'm not getting out of Lincoln, at least I'll be going across town!

Randomly perusing the blogosphere this chilly winter day, I stumbled upon this and just had to share. Not sure if it's sold anywhere, but it's a cute idea.

Carley Rae!

As I've told a couple people, this is the late and great Carley, the cutest Pembroke Welsh Corgi there ever was. These pictures are from the very first night we brought her home.

In the second picture you'll see her nibbling on my dad's ear - so cute! When she got too big for that, she moved on to tug-of-war.

She'd just turned two years old in October of 2005 when she was victim of a hit-and-run right outside our house. It sounds pretty cinematic, but she died right in my arms. I can't remember how long it took me to stop crying. After Carley, we just couldn't bring ourselves to get another corgi, but I resolved whenever I was out on my own somewhere and could afford it, I would get another of my own.

I have more pictures at home, but for now I'd rather not harass my mom. :) When I go back for Spring Break I'll try to scan some more. (These were all taken before we got a digital camera - hard to imagine those days even existed!)

Hope everyone has a fabulous Super Bowl Sunday. Go Cardinals!

I'm wondering if anyone else is as crazy as me...

...and stayed up till ungodly hours watching the women's final of the Australian Open. Serena won, so there better have been some other Americas watching! This afternoon we're supposed to get up to 59 degrees, thank the Lord Almighty! Maybe I'll finally get to play some tennis?!

Well, the day is young, seeing as I just woke up at 1:30. Next week I hope to start giving plasma in lieu of a real job. I also grabbed some literature on volunteering at Lincoln's local humane society. I've been thinking of helping out there all year, and it's finally looking like I might have some time to do it this semester. I miss dogs when I'm away from home. Right now, my family has a cockapoo named Toby. You can see him as a puppy right over there! ---------->

It's sad when 36 degrees feels beautiful out...

...but it's the truth! Glad to see it finally stop snowing for a bit.

Today I handed in that dreadful poem I had to write in iambic pentameter, and it wasn't all that bad! I feel as if I don't have a lot to share on my blog besides complaints and silly anecdotes, but I've always been wary of sharing poetry and fiction on blogs because who's to say someone won't steal it? I suppose I should read the fine print next time I start up a blog...oh well.

I've been dying to post some pictures of my late corgi, Carley, but they are not here with me in Nebraska, and my sources back home are proving to be very unreliable (coughcough, my sister!) so we'll see if that ever pans out.

Other than that, I hope everyone has a jubilant day!

Inadequacy

That is how I am feeling today. Not really worth anyone's time. Sighs upon sighs upon sighs.

simply because I can

01. What's the last TV show you saw?
well, unless you count Aussie Open, 30 Rock. Didn't enjoy it.

02. What are you wearing at the moment?

husker hoodie, long sleeved shirt, skinny jeans, socks, and underwear ;)

03. Favorite Song of the Moment?
I suppose "Consolers of the Lonely" - the Raconteurs

04. What is your favorite scent?

roses, and grass.

05. What's your occupation? What do you do there?
full time student, baby. I learn shit and immediately forget it.

06. What do you drink the most?
hmmm either water or coffee. it's a draw.

07. What is your favorite restaurant?
goodness, it changes a lot. I ate at Noodles & Co. tonight - kind of a Nebraska thing - but it was SO GOOD.

08. What will you be doing after finishing this?
waste some more of my life on the internets, I suppose

09. What did you want to be when you grew up?
a country singer!

10. Your favorite romantic movie?
hmm, Jerry Maguire, maybe.

11. What's the least favorite thing about yourself?
my inability to deal.

13. What are your ideal qualities in a novel?
characters I fall in love with on the first page, humor, realistic-ness - that's very important to me

14. What time do you usually go to bed?
midnight, on average

15. What's the meaning behind your LJ username/name/nicknames you go by?
well, I originally intended this to be my aspiring author blog. I've always dreamed of writing...but under a fake name. I haven't decided what name I want to write under, hence undecidedpsuedonym. I'm terribly sad I spelled pseudonym wrong, though, and will be forced to create a new blog someday, when I'm more motivated.

This semester is proving to be much easier than last. I had a magical moment in Petsmart tonight. Saw a three month old corgi puppy and have spent quite some time now traversing through the blogosphere, looking in amazement at the numerous corgi blogs. Who knew? I can't wait till I have another of my own to blog about!

I've been watching the Aussie Open like crazy. If it weren't so blasted cold, I'd be out on the courts every day. I didn't even realize I enjoyed watching tennis so much, but it's great. I do find myself lusting for March, though...college baseball, the big dance, and THE END OF WINTER.

Ah, I almost forgot to mention I'm engaged to the love of my life! Yup, officially off the market and loving it.

For now, the biggest stressor in my life is coming up with 20 lines of blank verse for Thursday. Oh, that elusive iambic pentameter, will I ever master thee?

Blogging is fun; I should do it more often.

it's unofficial

I did not see John Green last week, for personal reasons. And I was busy. I'm always busy.

In fact, I should probably be getting busy right now, so that is all I have to say for today.

it's official

I'm meeting John Green on November 16th.

While his book tour failed to snag an event in Nebraska (which is certainly laughable to imagine, though I do love it here very much) I'll have to settle for a road trip to Ames, Iowa. And, well, I'm so excited I could cry. Not kidding.

In other news, college is hard. Well, not really. But I read a lot. I'm slowly making friends.

In other news, I like Sarah Palin.

In other news, I haven't worked on my novel for probably close to a month. But I'm even more psyched to become an English teacher. So it'll all work out.

oh ma goodness

ma insides are a-screamin'

I am supposed to leave in about 20 minutes. For college. Because I go to college now.

When did this happen?

Yes I am happy, but holy cats am I nervous. I don't want to talk to people. I will, but I really

REALLY

don't want to. Such is life.

('Tis a bitch)

So...summer is really over. I dyed my hair. I called three people on the phone and one person called me. (besides the regulars) I fell in love with Smoothie King. I became addicted to Guitar Hero. I'm better at putting on make-up now. Went to a couple baseball games. Went to a few Bible studies about sex. Went to Batman in IMAX with my best friend. Went to the beach. Got as much of a tan as is possible for me. Sounds like a good summer. It was a good summer. I'm ready for it to be over, though. I am so ready. For college, though? Eeek we will find out.

I am at work, and it is hurricaning.

Well, tropical storming. I hope I don't get trapped here!

Must Correct Myself!

I realized that I made an error in the meme. (which I actually stole indirectly from E. Lockhart, via John Green, but ANYWHO..) My favorite Christmas movie is without a doubt White Christmas.

I'm also working on correcting myself in other ways, too. Like, being less selfish. That would be nice.

And, I've made a goal for myself and have been writing every day instead of waiting for my muse, since Maureen Johnson has taught me there is no such thing.

Confession time? I don't think I ever read MJ's posts straight through. I'm a violently chronic skimmer of the MJ blog. I think I'm probably alone in this, though.

I think I probably spend too much time reading author's blogs, and, uh, not enough time doing more important things. Like, facebooking! Just kidding. But only a little.

37 Odd Things About Me (stolen from John Green, whom yes, I do stalk)

37 Odd Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese? No, I do not.

2. Have you ever smoked? No, I have not. I will probably try it sometime, but just for fun.

3. Do you own a gun? No, but I hope to someday.

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Was? Still IS! Black Cherry.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Usually. I hate 'em.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think they're lovely, especially with chili and cheese.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? While I love Christmas, I'm not a fan of the Christmas movie. Um, Family Stone?

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, if anything.

9. Can you do push ups? Oh yes.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I don't have much, but maybe my confirmation ring from a family friend?

11. Favorite hobby? Reading and wasting my life away on the internet

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Probably not, I think I have restless leg syndrome, though, which seems similar.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? When I feel like it.

14. Middle name? Virginia.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I hope Tyler's okay, I hope Tom's okay, I ate too much

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? sweet tea, water, coffee

17. Current worry? Tyler!!

18. Current hate right now? Eeek a certain ex-muslim politician. Sorry.

19. Favorite place to be? That's tough. Galveston is a crowd favorite, but I'm partial to Ponca State Park (maybe Nebraska as a whole?), my bed, and my boyfriend's arms

20. How did you bring in the new year? With a phone call to my boyfriend.

21. Where would you like to go? See #19. And New York/LA.

22. Name three people who will complete this? all of my readers, lol.

23. Do you own slippers? Nope.

24. What shirt are you wearing? A green tank top.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I never have, but it sounds fantastic.

26. Can you whistle? Generally, yes.

27. Favorite color? Green, all shades.

28. Would you be a pirate? Oh I am, but this is something I shall keep quiet.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Oh things on the radio. I Kissed a Girl, Addicted (Saving Abel) and Sic Transit Gloria...Glory Fades (Brand New) are good ones.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Like, Lucy? Or Margaret? I'm still pretty unsure.

31. Favorite boy's name? Tom, I guess.

32. What's in your pocket right now? Lint.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Talking about buying guns with my daddy.

34. What vehicle do you drive? A green Civic, and I love her like crazy.

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Um, third degree burns from a freak sparkler accident.

36. Do you love where you live? Considering it's my blog template, yeah I'd say so.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Three! That's pretty respectable, I think. Isn't seven the average these days?

the problem with having a blog no one reads is you only remember you have it on the bad days.

how can you tell if you love someone? if they can hurt you the very worst.

my heart hurts like crazy and I don't even mean figuratively. oh dear!

bounce

I'm throwing around ideas in my head. Ideas for the future. Where do I really want to live? Where will I truly be happy? Why can't I just live at HEB?

I know what I want in about 55 years, give or take. I know I want a little goat farm. I know what I want in 10 years, give or take. I know I want to write books. But in between and all around these goals, what? What do I want?

I don't know. And I hardly care. I'm just a dreamer and I can't fall asleep.

it IS a good day, it IS a good day, it IS a good day.

so, I bought some CDs online a couple weeks back, and I am SO happy with them, so I thought I'd share the love.

First, the Warped Tour 2008 Compilation. Ticket priced were like spliced in half since I checked last, and I'm so very tempted to go. And since both Pete Wentz and Andy Hurley's clothing lines will be there...oh GAWD. I'd definitely be buying some clothes!

Second, Pinkerton. How in the world was it Weezer's worst commercial album? 'Tis wonderful!

Thirdly, Deja Entendu by Brand New. Oh goodness, if you're a punk fan, or even just a rock fan, PLEASE check this band out. The rock is rockin' and the lyrics are lyricin'. I've listened to about half the CD but I already can tell it's going up there on my all time favorite albums.

Today has been a very good day. I tanned outside, I looked at jewelry, I ate terrible-for-me ice cream, I went to HEB (worship!), I got a pedicure, and I had some Starbucks coffee today. And lots of kick ass new music. Does life get any better? No, not really. And I was really happy until I facebooked it up and realized how sad my social life is. I have friends, but they aren't very near. And I just have to wonder, if I did live up there, would they even want to see me?

Kind of a depressing thought for a sunny day.