Dear Diary

It's been quite some time since I've kept a diary/journal - at least 13 years.  I figured I would start a blog as a means of an online journal.  But I've been meaning to put my micron pens to some use and work on my handwriting.  At first I thought whatever I put on my blog would basically be the same thing I would write in a journal.  The more I thought about it, though, I realized how distracting the internet could be.  When I'm writing my blog posts, I'm usually bouncing back and forth between checking my social media accounts, reading other blogs, searching ideas on Pinterest and the list goes on and on.

I bought this beauty at Marshalls - my absolute favorite store!

When writing in an actual, real life, physical journal - its just you, the pen, and the journal.  You can find a quiet space where you are left with your thoughts and the paper.  Its also much less of a hassle to carry around compared to a laptop.  Say you wanted to write your post at the park or some scenic, serene setting - it would be much easier to bring your writing utensil and your journal than it would be to find a green space that also has WiFi.
On this beautiful, sunny Sunday morning I will be thinking of writing ideas for my journal.  Pinterest is very helpful with that, but I've got to be mindful of the time because two hours and 50 pins later I'll have a bunch of great ideas, but nothing concrete in my journal to show for it!
How do you come up with ideas for either your journal or blog posts?  What inspires you?

Make a wish into the well, that's all you have to do...

...And if you hear it echoing your wish will soon come true.

Family photos.

I've always been interested in my family history and looking through photographs from their lives. Tonight, I joined a Facebook group dedicated to my Grandmother Elaine Steven's side of the family. I'm not exactly sure who most of the people are in these photos, but thought I'd share because they're very intriguing!  I do know that most of the people are my at least my great-great relatives (and the really older photos are of my great-great-great-great relatives - so cool!).  I believe for the most part they are Aunts/Uncles/Cousins.  I think my Great-Great Grandfather Frank is pictured in a couple as a boy and an adult.
I also love all of the names: Delta May, Frank, Rose, Evelyn, Warren, Ethel, Alice, Fred, Hilda.
I hope to one day learn about my ancestors and their lives.

Because I'm happy!

Image courtesy of style.com/arabia 

Best thing ever: 
World's First 24 Hour Video




Enjoy.

Celebrate good times!

Nowadays my family only gets together for family birthdays or major holidays.  When we were little we used to have Sunday dinner at my Grandpa’s house – usually consisted of grilled chicken, burgers, or brats.  Us kids would run around the backyard, playing baseball, swinging on the swing set or getting loud over something trivial to which my Grandpa would reply with a loud holler from the kitchen window.  I miss his holler.  And the way he would say we were “Goofy”.  

HTML noob.

Success!  I've been working on my html skills tonight & I've made myself a little signature! Quite proud of myself! *patting myself on the back*  That is all!  Have a fabulous night! Back to my studies ")

Do what you love.

I love color.  Those who know me well, know I absolutely love color.  It just makes me happy.  So today on this gorgeous first day of spring - Happy Spring, Ya'll! - I decided to make a colorful garland (like this, this, and this).

In no way is this project expensive, just need a few items, and its certainly not perfect (just wait till you see my cutting - I cut like a 5 year old except without those plastic safety scissors).

What you’ll need:

Craft paper - I bought mine in the dollar section at Target!

Bakers twine - Again, another fab find in Target's dollar section.  If you can't find twine, you can also use some yard, embroidery thread, or ribbon.

Tape - I used Scotch's Advanced Tape Glider.  I'm sure you can just use regular tape or even glue.

Scissors - I used everyday scissors.  I will definitely invest in some craft scissors.

Goals.

I want to do more.  Experience more.  I want to steer my life in a direction that makes me happy.  I want to enjoy every moment and be that person that could say I did something with my life.  I often think of what would be said at my eulogy - what will I be remembered for?  I want to have made an impact -- leave a lasting impression.   Sadly, the past couple years since graduating from Marquette I've simply been working to live and keep forgetting to see the beauty in this life.  

Now I've been accepted to USC for their MSW online program and I want to live for my work.  I want to wake up everyday knowing that what I'll be doing will be meaningful, worthwhile, and rewarding.  Its not about how much money I can make or spend, its going to be about relationships, community, and what I can do for others - not only that, but what I learn from others.  I want to expand my perspective and learn how others live and understand their world.  

I love incomplete thoughts.

So here's the thing, I can be lazy. Not all the time, but recently I've been lazy more days than productive - the snooze-your-alarm-ten-times-before-turning-it-off-and-waking-up-an-hour-later kind of lazy.  So this post (besides this mini Intro) will be in the form of a list.  Because I love lists, incomplete thoughts, half sentences, bullet pointed words - and as I write this my vision is becoming more tunnel-like, so I'm thinking I have very little energy and brain capacity left to form complete sentences.

Courtesy of Pinterest and Holly Knitlightly

PS this picture has inspired me to post a list of lists of 

my favorites/inspirations/blessings etc! 

(I'll save that for another day when I'm not drooling on my keyboard)

Here's to the future!

I've been lacking in the posting department- I know, I know!  But no worries I will be back soon with a fun post! 

I've just been focusing on applying for my MSW at USC! Its an online interactive program! Super excited :) I will be hearing about my acceptance (hopefully!) within a month!

Cross your fingers for me!

Xo Karissa