Starfleet Academy... Here I come

I treated myself to a great movie yesterday.

Now all I can think about is going "where no man has gone before" and commanding my very own Starfleet ship.

Live Long and Prosper,

Kaitlyn

I Want to Heal the World

My mother once told me, "Kaitlyn, you have the gift of crying."

Whoa, wait. Who said it was a gift?

It's true. I cry a lot. I mean a lot. Daily. Obviously, I cry when I'm sad. I cry when I'm angry. I cry when I'm happy. I cry when I'm hungry. I cry when I'm nervous. I cry when I'm excited. I cry during every movie, I can even cry while I read. And often, I cry just because. It's just who I am, and for me there is no better way to lift the weight and stress of my world from my shoulders than by releasing it through my tears.

But a gift? I've never thought of this trait as a gift.

It should come as no surprise that tonight, I cried.

I read an article in the Salt Lake Tribune that devastated me. So I cried. And then, I cried some more.

I cried for the children, and women, and men in Darfur.

I cried for the estimated 25,000 children that die each day due to poverty.

I cried for the displaced people in Sri Lanka who are being terrorized and killed.

I cried because of genocide happening all over the world.

I cried for the millions of people around the world living with and dying from AIDS and HIV.

I cried for my own country, and the selfish choices we make without realizing all that we already have.

I cried because of the drug wars happening in Mexico and the countless number of victims that have been claimed.

I cried for the shameful wars happening in Iraq and Afghanistan and Israel.

I cried for the sweet underprivileged children that my mom teaches, many of whom wake up daily to seemingly hopeless futures.

I cried because I feel overwhelmed and hopeless over the conflicts, wars, and hate our world faces.

I cried and cried. And cried some more. Now I'm crying again.

So, crying is supposed to be a gift, huh?

Along with every other reason that I cry, I undoubtedly cry when I feel passionately about something. No matter what it is.

I guess it could be a gift. A gift of expression.

So, although I'm heading to bed with a tear streaked face and a discouraged heart, I'm grateful tonight for all that I'm blessed with. I truly am blessed. I hope that the path of my life leads me in a direction that will bless me with opportunities to help ease the burdens of the many people in the world who have little to hope for.

And that, I feel very passionately about.

Kindly,
Kait

Rockin' and Runnin'

I'd be lying if I told you that running is an enjoyable experience right from the moment my Nike's hit the pavement. It's not. The first 10-20 minutes are usually miserable and I literally have to envision myself running towards my very own imaginary medical marijuana card just to force myself to keep going. In my attempts to make those first few moments a bit more bearable, I've been experimenting with different playlists on my ipod, searching for one that will aid in "getting my mind right" during that first part of my long runs. I've tried everyone from Michael Buble to Lil Wayne, but it hasn't been until recently that I've found the winner and my partner on the pavement. It's no surprise that the best "pick me up" playlist, the one that really gets my heart going and my legs cruising, happens to be my cousin Curtis' band, Vayden.





So, Vayden, thanks for keeping me on my feet and pumping me up. As long as you're pulsating through my headphones, I may have a chance at making it through this marathon... alive. Oh, and if you ever find yourself doing a show up this way, you can be assured that my Nike's and I will be there.




Kindly,
Kait


You can listen to more of Vayden here, you can join them here, and you can learn about them here. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Sister!

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."

My Lyndsey is growing up.

Too fast, if you ask me.

I thought she'd always be mine, but now "Naughty Conradi" has come along and plans to steal her for "eternity".

Let's be honest...

Losing my sister to a wedding ring is slightly heartbreaking,

but I'm dealing.

Anyway, on this day, twenty years ago, my first little sister came into my world. Since then and forever more, she'll always be my "almost best friend"...

even after "Naughty Conradi" whisks her away.

So, to my sister,

Although today is your birthday, it's a special day for me as well and a day that marks one of the most precious moments in my life. There is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you (and Shelby, wink wink)

Happy Birthday Lynds!

Kindly,
Kait

Life is Good because of...

• my mama
• winter days with sunny blue skies
• running masks
• healing hearts
• music, duh
• individuality
• bikinis
• tax returns
• to-do lists
• checking things off of to-do lists
• green cleaning supplies
• bic lighters as opposed to the dollar store ones
• hidden valley ranch dressing
• true friends
• spandex
• grape swishers
• bail bondsmen
• hippies
• nail polish remover
• waterproof eyeliner
• endorphins
• washer and dryers
• high heels
• alarm clocks
• coconut sheesha
• swamp coolers
• hdtv
• eye makeup remover
• norml.org
• multi-vitamins
• at least 20% tippers
• sour patch kids
• airborne
• vegetables
• my cellmate
• steinway
• new zealand
• text messaging
• peanut butter m&ms
• perfect vision
• independence
• facebook
• my health
• my family
• integrity
• tide wipes
• hand sanitizer
• childhood friends
• bedtimes
• education
• boys that are friends
• public transportation
• sweetie pie