Texas or California?

Haha. Somehow I always knew it would come down to these two states. It's no surprise why. The sun shines in these places. I like sun. Sun is good. Me need sun. Me happy in sun. I don't know how many times I've sworn to myself that I would never live in a state where it snowed, but I'm actually quite serious about it. So, I've really been considering both of these places. If anyone has any job leads, I'm all ears. I was thinking particularly of Austin, for some reason, but who knows? I guess it all depends on where I can find a job of ANY kind. My main goal is to earn/ save as much money as possible in the next year before until I start grad school. Oh decisions decisions. I'm leaning toward Texas right now because it's WAY cheaper and I feel like I would save a bit more money there. Is it even possible to save money when you live in CA? You Californians better jump in here and share your thoughts. Anyway, with 26 days til graduation, I best get on this. I can't wait to graduate. I know I've said it before and you are probably terribly sick of hearing it, but I just don't care. WHOO HOO! I am so stoked.

Well, ta ta for now. Love you all!

Kathryn

A few of my favorite things...

Hello from my mind:

So I just want to share with you a few things that are rocking my world right now. Just for fun, and because I can't think of anything extraordinary to say.

1. Elephants. I just saw that Water for Elephants movie a while ago and have become somewhat obsessed with elephants since then. They are the coolest animals God ever dreamed up.

2. Brandi Carlisle: "Before it Breaks." I just really really love this song right now. I've listened it to it ten times in the last hour. Soon it will probably not be my favorite song anymore. hahah. Here is a youtube link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPLST5EYsSE

3. The writing of John Stuart Mill: "I never, indeed, wavered in the conviction that happiness is the test of all rules of conduct, and the end of life. But I now thought that this end was only to be attained by not making it the direct end. Those only are happy (I thought) who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way."

4. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Guided by the inspiration of a friend and home teacher (and the Spirit of course), I decided to challenge myself to read the Book of Mormon in a month, which means i need to read 17 pages a day. It is a time sacrifice for sure, but already my life is changing under the power of that book (again!). It is a great gift I'm giving to my life right now.

5. Poetry. Poetry. Poetry. As usual. I'm still inhaling it and doing my best to write it. It remains my most violent, rapturous passion in life. :) Here is a poem I wrote recently after watching a video about the old film critic/ writer, Roger Ebert after his jaw removal:

Voice: To Roger Ebert

As I look at you I realize that voice is something altogether

separate from larynx, pharynx, palate, tongue, teeth, lips, sound.

Voice is being. Voice is thought. Voice is essence.

A cold, empty voice is now yours.

It was manufactured by some tech geniuses in Scotland.

I wonder what you did the first morning you woke up

after they removed your jaw,

and you tried to speak.

Did you cry?

Did you weep?

What happens to the mind when ability is swallowed by disability?

Of this I know something.

Is voice inherent?

Is voice cultivated?

Was I born with my voice?

Voice is the dearest treasure in the universe.

I never knew that until I heard yours.

6. Friends. I really have been blessed with the most remarkable friends in the wide world. A few of my dearest friends in the world came to visit me in Rexburg this weekend: a mission companion, mission friend, and convert I taught on my mission. It was a delightful weekend. Here are a few pics of us traversing my little town.


Well, that's about it for now I suppose since I still have to read my 17 pages of the Book of Mormon and I have class tomorrow morning. The time has already slipped so quickly away from me. Sorry for all of my avid readers for my long absence from the world of blogging. What can I say? I graduate from college in forty-two days? I'm a bit preoccupied. :)