Fear

"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"

I absolutely love this quote.  It can be looked at from so many different view points.  My life is a constant question of what would I do if I could and what SHOULD I do.  Always follow your heart.

Some final inspiration:

"Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude." - Dale Carnegie

"Happiness depends on ourselves" - Aristotle

"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know" - Ernest Hemingway

"The purpose of our lives is to be happy" - Dalai Lama

Love this:

"You didn't have to run... I knew it was love from a mile away."

Inspiration

Oh hey there!  Its been awhile.  But I think I'm back for a bit.


There is something about watching a really good father with his kids that gives me a little more faith in humanity.

Every once in awhile I'm lucky enough to get to spectate one of my favorite relationships, when it's done right, the bond between small kids and their dad.  Dad is the hero, he has no flaws, he's the epitome of awesome. He's also the enforcer, but you would never want to do anything to disappoint him because he's the one person you never want to let down.  My Dad was my hero when I was little, and he still is today.  He was my protection, my inspiration, and showed me how a man should respect and treat women he loves.  He set the bar high for every other boy who would ever walk into my life, and he taught me never to settle.  The bond between a father and a daughter is a special one, especially when it's done right.

Today I walked into Panera to grab some lunch and do a little last minute cramming for my afternoon exam.   There was a father with his two daughters in front of me in line, one looked to be around 2 and the other a little over 3.  Absolutely beautiful and very well behaved little girls.  I loved watching them interact.  He adored them, and it was evident in their every interaction, and they worshiped him, he was Dad after all.  Gentle, supporting, and loving.

Little reminders like these just go to show me there are good guys still out there.  Men who will make great fathers, amazing role models, and supportive loving husbands.

Being in your early twenties is a funny age.  We're all over the place.  Some friends are getting married, some already are, some are starting to plan families, some already have two kids, or... some of us, are happily single, pursing our own personal dreams.  It seems thought no matter what path your on, you always stare wistfully at where someone else's life and "wonder what it would be like" to be there.  I personally can't imagine being married or having kids right now, but I have friends who can't imagine their lives any other way.

At this point, I'm just trying to look for the good in everyday, count my blessings twice and never take anything for granted.

Continue to look for the little joys in life that bring a smile to your face :)

Have a beautiful day! Paz y Bien.

- Kari

Summer

Good Lord I love summertime.

"It's a smile, it's a kiss, it's a sip of wine it's the summertime" <3

Friends, food, and fun.  Can't beat it.

Graduation!

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Be smart, study, make dumb mistakes, move on, have fun, make lasting friendships, but most of all, love. Love life, love your mistakes for what they teach you, love others, and just... love you."


Officially a college gradutate!  How crazy.  3 years and now on to the next phase.  But, I'm blessed and get 4 more years in Blacksburg.  I'm more than a little excited to move on to vet school and see all the opportunities this new adventures life has for me.   And I can't wait to meet new people!  Gotta love new friends, always exciting.


Paz y bien.


Love life, it's too short not to.

Final push! Well shove really

Almost done!  2 more finals and I'm finished my undergraduate career at Virginia Tech.  Kinda crazy to think about.  It had truly been an incredible 3 years.  It's amazing to think how much I have learned and grown in such a short amount of time.  I am a completely different person today than I was when I stepped on campus August 19th, 2009.  And I honestly feel like most of my growth has been for good.  I know myself so much better than I did back then.  I have convictions, depth and inspiration.  My passions have only grown stronger and I am so excited for my future.

Vet school here I come.

old quote favorites

My SERVE and LDRS Blog:
http://laughlovelead.wordpress.com/

"Behind every woman's scorn, is a man, who made her that way" - baggage claim

"Can you get to your future if your past is present?" - Carrie, Sex and the City <3

"keep calm and study on"

Too often we don't realize what we have until it's gone. Too often we're too stubborn to say, 'Sorry, I was wrong.' Too often it seems we hurt the ones closest to our hearts, and we let the most foolish things tear us apart.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them. But, to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require "- St. Francis of Assisi - love.love.love

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." - Marilyn Monroe

"We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets."
— Marilyn Monroe


"The opposite of faith isn't doubt, it's fear"

"nothing worth having ever comes easily."

“Being single used to mean that nobody wanted you. Now it means you're pretty sexy and you're taking your time deciding how you want your life to be and who you want to spend it with.” - Carrie Bradshaw

"Corona and crabs, life is good, dude that brand should totally pick that quote up and put it on a shirt with a Maryland flag pictured in the middle, it'd be beautiful"

"I'm a ninja!  Get on my level"

"If you're not heading in any direction, go in every direction; it gets you places. So get random, make chaos your b****." - from Christopher Mehfoud's list of epic quotes

"Brothers and sister this is our faith, it is real, and it is wonderful!" -Father John (aka FJ)

"Living Well is the Best Revenge"

"I just took my anger out on that cracker and cheese..."

"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love" - Albert Einstein

"The only good race pace is suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die." -Prefontaine

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find Her"

"Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn." Fulton J. Sheen

"guys, treat your girls like they're a gift from God, and girls, don't settle for anything less." ~ Todd Lemeiux

"the best things happen at the least expected moments"

"Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create" - Pope John Paul II

"Sleep with the Angels, dream with the Saints" ~  Chels

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa

Next step...

Theodore Roosevelt—soldier, explorer, president—once remarked, "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."


So good: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577366332400453796.html

When you choose to be great you think less about the reasons why not and you think more about the plan for how.
When you truly believe you will be great you think less about what you don’t have and you think more about what you must create.
When you truly believe that that you shall not fail you think less about your weaknesses and you think more about what skills you need to learn and develop.
When you choose to be great you concern yourself less with your successes and you think more about what you can do to help others succeed.

Sick of it

I'm so tried of being hurt.  I'm also sick of putting faith in people and perpetually being let down.  Maybe having no expectations means you never have disappointment.  I'm not trying to pity party or be unreasonable.  I'm just kind of being impressed by the level of inconsiderateness I've seen lately.  I try to be thoughtful in my decisions why are other people incapable to do so too?

My heart just hurts after this week.  I want to have faith but I'm feeling so discouraged right now.  Trying to direct my attention to more positive outlets.  The right person is out there and will make you as much of a priority as you make them.

Never give up hope.

Sorry.

Is sorry always enough?  Does saying "sorry" excuse inexcusable behavior?  I'm stuck on this one.  Forgiveness is key.  Yes.  I believe that wholeheartedly.  But, I'm not going to forget.  I'm sick of being hurt, and hearing someone say "Oh I'm sorry,"  then forgiving them and moving on to simply get hurt in the same way by the same person again.  It's this silly cycle that seems to be on repeat.  I'm kinda over it.

Key to success?  Surround yourself with good people.  Then you avoid this situation all together!

God put good people in our lives, it's our job is to find 'em!

J.J. Stinson

In loving memory of a young man who made the world and everyone and everything in it his friend.


"But fear is not enough to destroy an honest heart" -J.J. Stinson

Ask questions.  Challenge thought.  And love and accept everyone.

No one...

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" - Eleanor Roosevelt

So glad I don't feel inferior in this situation.  Life has a funny way of working itself out and irony never ceases to amaze me.  I feel like this whole situation will be laughable in a few months.  I honestly wish the best of luck to you.

"You're not good enough for me" - oh really now?  Well, the feeling is currently mutual.  I want to find someone who cherishes me for who and what I am.  And I want to be able to do the same thing for them.  I'm not terribly concerned about it.

Best wishes and God Bless.

So excited to enjoy the rest of this year drama free!  Should be a lot of fun.  Time to do me and I can't wait.  And more time to devote to my friends, beautiful growing family and of course Lily!  All the things that bring joy and happiness into my life.  I feel so blessed to have such a great support network.


Also, prayers go out to J.J. Stinson's family and friends.  In loving memory of J.J., a beautiful heart that never stopped giving or looking for the potential in others.  A true living inspiration who was loved and cherished by many.  I feel blessed and honored to have known him and called him a friend.

Also, prayers for all the victims and survivors of April 16th, 2007.  We are Hokies and we will prevail.  Live for 32 and neVer forgeT.  So blessed to call this university home and I am so excited to stay here for another 4 years.  God Bless the Hokies.

Why?

Why are you making someone your everything when they are only making you an option.  It's a waste of everyone's time.

They're afraid to "lose you".  But are they?  If they were wouldn't they be pursuing you right now?  Yes.  They are afraid of losing the back up option.  If you're not a priority why would you stick around.  You're investing yourself in something that doesn't really matter to the other person.  Be a priority, you deserve unconditional love.

Do I.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5GVa1yWYZM

Happy Easter!

He is risen!  I love Easter.  And it's a beautiful day out.  SO blessed to have my parents in town to celebrate.  I love my family.


Quote from a friend: "it's not up to me anymore. if you want me in your life, you'll find a way to put me there" - Carly 




"Disappointments are just God's way of saying, "I've got something better." So be patient, have faith and live your life"

Cheers to Joy and new opportunities. 

She's as pretty as a picture...

"...every bit as funny as she is smart"

Life is what you make it.  Why shoot for sub-par when you want to hang around the stars?  My parents came to visit this weekend and I learned a lot about myself.  Not necessarily from them, or even from anything they said.  Just from how I felt and acted around them.  It reminded me of who I was before I came into college.  The girl I used to be happy with, and love being.  First, I'm an independent and beautiful young woman.  I've been letting myself be ok with things I shouldn't be ok with.  I want to be pursued.  Why am I attempting to chase people who don't want me?  That's just stupid.  I'd be settling even if I convinced them to be with me.  I want to be with a person who wants me as much as I want them.  There are plenty of WONDERFUL people who have been paying attention to me.  I've been ignoring them because in my brain I have some issue with someone actually liking me.  It doesn't make sense.  I guess I convince myself that they must be crazy and decide to try to pursue the next jerk.  Ridiculous.  Also, I've come to realize (again) that freedom is an absolutely beautiful thing.  We don't always need to be in a relationship, or even dating or talking to someone.  Sometimes, just learning about ourselves and taking time to be alone is the healthiest thing in the world.  It's a beautiful thing to actually know who you are.  So many 20 year olds I know don't, heck, I'm not even sure if I really know myself that well.  Sometimes I find myself making decisions or thinking things even I don't understand.  Cherish the moments that make you smile, enjoy your independence, and remember to pursue your dreams, if you do, everything else will fall into place.  God always has a plan.  Sometimes we just need to trust him a little more.

"just as free, free as we'll ever be."

Mess

"What a beautiful mess I'm in"

Only it's not feeling so beautiful right now.  I'm starting to feel like I need to stop this, stat, I feel like I'm not respecting myself or other people by letting this one go.  To put my foot down or continue pretending I'm happy with the situation?  I'm using "happy" loosely here.  Shall I say, "ok" with the situation.  Maybe complacent is a better term... either way this sucks.

HUGE Ethology exam tomorrow.  Off to study.  Trying to keep a positive attitude.  Hey, I'm going to Vet School, life is good.

Peace & Blessings.

Confused

I know right from wrong.  I still make mistakes.  Sometimes my emotions get the better of me.  I'm a rational person, but I still make irrational decisions regularly.

Making the right decisions, healthy decisions, are often the hardest.  When something feels so right how could it be wrong?  But, then the more I think about it, the more messed up it seems.  There is nothing ok with this situation.  There was nothing ok with this situation before.  But, I don't want space, I want you, I know I need space, but part of me is also convinced I need you.  This is ridiculous.  And I'm afraid it's only going to get worse from here :/

I'm trying to be optimistic, but I'm starting to feel like this is a ticking time bomb bound to explode at any second.  Secrets don't last around here.  And college can be cruel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=D1Xr-JFLxik


Time to slow things down.  Separate my life.  And figure things out.  If stuff is ever going to work in the future, being careful now is essential.

Lord help me with this one, I can't do it on my own...

5 more weeks til the end of the semester!

6 weeks til graduation and a much needed escape for summer.

"This is my temporary home..."

Thought Catalog

Such a refreshing article.  And it's right!  We're exactly where we're supposed to be.  Don't sweat the small stuff, this is our time, let your voice be heard.

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/why-being-in-your-20s-is-awesome/

Best Friend

I give up.  This has gotten so far past complicated it's almost silly.  But at the same time, as hard as this all is, it's the first time I've been really happy in awhile.  It's so nice to be at peace.

I miss my best friend. Why can't life be as simple as following your heart?

I believe in fate, and I believe in the Lord.  If the two come together in agreement I truly believe that one day this will all work out.  I really hope so, because I can't imagine life any other way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDm2AIw7Myo

Always in my prayers, even when it makes me beyond frustrated and upset.

Another rambling of nonsense, praise God no one actually reads this.

Success!

I've been officially accepted as a member of the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine!  Woohooo!  Dreams do come true.  I'm so excited.

It's been really surreal and awesome to finally have an opportunity to experience what I've worked so hard to achieve.  I'm in.  Praise God.  I never have to do that application again!

Aside from that I need to keep myself on a shorter leash.  My social life seems to have a mind of its own lately and I keep ending up in quirky situations.  I just need to start avoiding them all together.  It'll make life better for us all.

Hangin' in there.  I just need to chug through biochem and ethology and I'll be good to go.

Never give up.