I can't believe that I'm actually sitting here typing out these words. I have one month left at home. One month, that's it. I'm about to pack up my entire life into the back of my dad's Navigator and with eighteen years and my family and home in the rear view mirror, move over 700 miles away to a state that is completely new to me.
*cue internal freakout*
My summer thus far has been a crazy mess of graduation and college orientation followed by hip surgery that has left me immobile up until about five days ago and still unable to drive. The closer I get to recovery from the procedure the closer I get to the inevitable: driving away from my home for the last time until christmas.
I thought I would feel different at this point, like I was ready to leave, or at least more emotionally prepared than I am right now. I spent so much time of my high school years, particularly the last two, wishing to graduate and move far away never to see anyone from my past ever again, but now that I'm actually about to do that I just want all those days back. I don't know why but the end of senior year saw more friendships forged than any other time in high school. I graduated with a group of best friends that was completely different than when I started high school or even started my senior year, and that's ok. I've never felt as close with a group of girls as I do with them and that makes it that much more difficult to leave.
Regardless of how I feel, the clock keeps ticking, the sun keeps setting, and my time in Virginia is coming to a close. August 5th isn't just an idea anymore, it's a reality that is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. So this is it, there's no turning back now. All I can do is dive in head first and hope.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Playlist No. 6
It's been a long, cold winter and I am seriously ready for summer to get here! Here are some of the songs I've been loving to get me in the mood for flip flops, driving with the windows down, and always wearing a bikini under my clothes.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Kendra Scott
There isn't a problem that Kendra Scott can't fix!
I made the investment in three pairs of Kendra Scott earrings after christmas and they just came in today. I've seen girls all over tumblr and pinterest flaunting their gorgeous earrings so I am absolutely thrilled to have kickstarted my collection with these three new pairs that will work with so many different types of outfits.
Are you all fans of Kendra Scott? I just can't seem to get enough!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Welcome Back
So how do you start a blog post when you haven't written one in over a month?
I really wanted to start this with something exciting, I mean so much has happened over this last month and I felt like I needed to come back from my little sabbatical with a bang. Honestly, I've sat down and tried to write this post multiple times before but I think what I really need to do is just say hi, my name is Katharene, and I haven written a blog post in over a month.
Basically, the content I've been posting on my blog just hasn't inspired me lately. I haven't been able to get excited about writing, well, anything really. And once that starts it turns into this spiral of self doubt... is this post good enough? are people even reading my blog? why am I writing this?
Long story short, I came to the realization that I was overthinking what I was doing. Instead of sitting down and writing for myself I was writing based on what I thought my audience wanted to see, and that is not the type of blogger I want to be. I started this blog for myself and I want to get back to that.
So, here I am, taking a leap and resolving myself to put out the content that I want to create, because I am confident enough in myself and my abilities to not feel pressured by the thoughts of what other people think. You're reading this because you're interested in my thoughts and my life so... here I am.
I'm taking that metaphorical leap.
I really wanted to start this with something exciting, I mean so much has happened over this last month and I felt like I needed to come back from my little sabbatical with a bang. Honestly, I've sat down and tried to write this post multiple times before but I think what I really need to do is just say hi, my name is Katharene, and I haven written a blog post in over a month.
Basically, the content I've been posting on my blog just hasn't inspired me lately. I haven't been able to get excited about writing, well, anything really. And once that starts it turns into this spiral of self doubt... is this post good enough? are people even reading my blog? why am I writing this?
Long story short, I came to the realization that I was overthinking what I was doing. Instead of sitting down and writing for myself I was writing based on what I thought my audience wanted to see, and that is not the type of blogger I want to be. I started this blog for myself and I want to get back to that.
So, here I am, taking a leap and resolving myself to put out the content that I want to create, because I am confident enough in myself and my abilities to not feel pressured by the thoughts of what other people think. You're reading this because you're interested in my thoughts and my life so... here I am.
I'm taking that metaphorical leap.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
November Favorites
I've been loving so many great things with the colder weather this month!
FASHION
Liberty London for Barbour
I literally cannot walk out of my house without my Barbour on when it's been as cold as it has been outside! I love that mine has the Liberty London floral print inside because no one ever mistakes it as theirs!
Short Boots
I recently bought a pair of short black boots from Joie, one of my all time favorite brands, and have to say that they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I wear them with every opportunity!
BEAUTY
John Frieda Hair Color
Instead of cutting my hair short in my usual fashion this fall, I chose to dye it dark brown myself. This was my first time trying any sort of at home color system and I have zero complaints. It's been about a week since I dyed it and I have seen very little fading and my hair is as healthy as it was before coloring. Also, there was just about zero mess because the dye isn't a fluid but a pretty stiff foam (think like foaming hand soap but more dense), so it didn't go anywhere I didn't want it to.
Berry nails
I've been wearing Essie's Berry Naughty, a deep burgundy color, almost all month. My one complaint is that the color can be a bit streaky if you're not careful, so you definitely need to sit down and take the time to apply even coats and wait for them to dry before adding another!
HOME
Candles
My candle addiction has come back with full force this year and I am as happy as a clam. My current favorite is the Godfather candle from Candles by Victoria. Her candles are all hand poured and the scents are absolutely to die for.
FASHION
Liberty London for Barbour
I literally cannot walk out of my house without my Barbour on when it's been as cold as it has been outside! I love that mine has the Liberty London floral print inside because no one ever mistakes it as theirs!
I recently bought a pair of short black boots from Joie, one of my all time favorite brands, and have to say that they are some of the most comfortable shoes I own. I wear them with every opportunity!
BEAUTY
Instead of cutting my hair short in my usual fashion this fall, I chose to dye it dark brown myself. This was my first time trying any sort of at home color system and I have zero complaints. It's been about a week since I dyed it and I have seen very little fading and my hair is as healthy as it was before coloring. Also, there was just about zero mess because the dye isn't a fluid but a pretty stiff foam (think like foaming hand soap but more dense), so it didn't go anywhere I didn't want it to.
I've been wearing Essie's Berry Naughty, a deep burgundy color, almost all month. My one complaint is that the color can be a bit streaky if you're not careful, so you definitely need to sit down and take the time to apply even coats and wait for them to dry before adding another!
HOME
My candle addiction has come back with full force this year and I am as happy as a clam. My current favorite is the Godfather candle from Candles by Victoria. Her candles are all hand poured and the scents are absolutely to die for.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Cheerleading is a Sport Too
Tonight was our tri-annual athletics banquet and all of the fall teams were recognized and praised by their coaches in our school theater, without much flaw, except for cheerleading. At the last minute our coach texted us saying that she was "sick" (we're still questioning the truth to that statement) and that she wouldn't be able to make it. The role of speaking about our season to a theater full of people was delegated out to the senior captains, myself and two of my teammates. We stumbled and stuttered through a painfully unprepared speech that was absolutely cringe worthy, and it got me thinking about what I would say about my sport and my team if I had had a chance.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is a sport unlike any other at our school. We don't have stats or awards we can throw out as indicators of how our season went, but what we do know is that we have improved dramatically and that we grew closer as a team than we ever have in a single season.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is stuck somewhere between a sport and an art. We have a preseason just like any other varsity team and train and condition on a varsity level. However, we also cut our own music and choreograph all of our own dances.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I am sure of two things about every girl standing behind me on that stage: they love cheerleading and they love football. We were there for every touchdown pass Allan threw, and for every rushing yard that Demitri added to his career total. We were there for every blowout victory, and felt the pain of a heartbreaking loss that ended our season way too early just as hard as any player on the football team. I would have told people how most of the girls on that stage have lived through many years of NA football, through "true grit" and "relentless" and "big team, little me" (or TEAMe), and how we are more proud of the men of NA football than they will ever be able to comprehend.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I love my team, and couldn't have asked for a better way to begin my senior year. I would have told them how each and every girl on that team touched my heart and changed me for the better, and I would trade almost anything in the world for one more day of NA cheerleading. I would have told the seniors how much I love them and hope the very best for them as we go our separate ways in the future. I would have told the juniors how I know that they will be some of the best leaders in the history of our program and know that they will be able to handle whatever the next season has in store. I would have told all of our middle-schoolers how proud I am of them for finding a home in NA athletics, an area dominated by upperclassmen, and how they taught me to look at the world with fresh eyes again, and a childlike sense of wonder and naivety. I would have told my coach how much she taught me and how I am forever grateful for having her in my life.
Lastly, I would have told the audience that cheerleading is a sport too.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is a sport unlike any other at our school. We don't have stats or awards we can throw out as indicators of how our season went, but what we do know is that we have improved dramatically and that we grew closer as a team than we ever have in a single season.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how cheerleading is stuck somewhere between a sport and an art. We have a preseason just like any other varsity team and train and condition on a varsity level. However, we also cut our own music and choreograph all of our own dances.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I am sure of two things about every girl standing behind me on that stage: they love cheerleading and they love football. We were there for every touchdown pass Allan threw, and for every rushing yard that Demitri added to his career total. We were there for every blowout victory, and felt the pain of a heartbreaking loss that ended our season way too early just as hard as any player on the football team. I would have told people how most of the girls on that stage have lived through many years of NA football, through "true grit" and "relentless" and "big team, little me" (or TEAMe), and how we are more proud of the men of NA football than they will ever be able to comprehend.
If I had the chance, I would have told people how I love my team, and couldn't have asked for a better way to begin my senior year. I would have told them how each and every girl on that team touched my heart and changed me for the better, and I would trade almost anything in the world for one more day of NA cheerleading. I would have told the seniors how much I love them and hope the very best for them as we go our separate ways in the future. I would have told the juniors how I know that they will be some of the best leaders in the history of our program and know that they will be able to handle whatever the next season has in store. I would have told all of our middle-schoolers how proud I am of them for finding a home in NA athletics, an area dominated by upperclassmen, and how they taught me to look at the world with fresh eyes again, and a childlike sense of wonder and naivety. I would have told my coach how much she taught me and how I am forever grateful for having her in my life.
Lastly, I would have told the audience that cheerleading is a sport too.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
These Things Will Change
"If we don't change, we don't grow, and if we don't grow, we aren't really living"
When it comes down to it, my style, my image, who I want to be, that is something that is forever changing in my mind. I hate finality and I hate the idea of being stuck on one path. I've had the "preppy" image for so long that I'm just known as the "preppy girl" to a lot of people, but I don't want to be known for just that. I believe that nothing is permanent and you shouldn't have to be pigeonholed into one style, outlook, or way of thinking. I, along with most people my age, have also realized that we aren't the same people we were when we started high school. I'm not the little girl with the Lilly dress and pink hair bow anymore, and that is something I'm proud of. I'm proud of how I've changed and I'm proud of the woman I am today.
The way I see it, I'm still myself and maybe I'll have those days where I want to wear a Lilly shift and Jack Rogers with pearls, but I know that that just isn't who I am right now. People grow, the seasons change, and trends come and go, but I'm still me and am still moving forward on this wild ride we call life.
xx
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