"Feed a fish and people eat for one day; teach them how to fish and they feed themselves every day.
From the standpoint of the social justice advocate as well, teaching someone to fish presumes that the person a) has access to a lake, b) that a corporate conglomerate has not fished out that lake and c) that our industrial waste has not poisoned all of the fish. Teaching someone to fish, in other words, presupposes a redistribution of power within a society or, at least, sufficient unexploited nooks and crannies (untapped lakes) where new fisheries can be established. Capacity building, in other words, requires both compassionate service and social justice advocacy."
-- Charles R. Strain
"Moving Like a Starfish:
Beyond a Unilinear Model of Student Transformation in Service Learning Classes"
Journal of College & Character VOLUME VIII, NO. 1, November 2006
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
#36: Mean People Suck
I was thinking today about posting and this really just stuck in my mind.
But the more I dive into this subject, I wonder-- are people really inherently mean? Do they intend to be mean in all they do, are they always mean? Sometimes I think this is true. Sometimes someone is literally always awful to me and to others I care about, which makes me lump them into this mean category. What if they think happy people suck? This is definitely not my conclusion, because I am happy and don't suck (okay, not sound evidence but this is not the point of my post)
So then--- why are they mean? Is it their countenance, their upbrining, or maybe just something going on in their life? I know nice people can act mean, heck I have a mean streak when I am angry enough. And I don't hate nice people because they act mean sometimes, I guess I just hate the meanness.
After careful consideration, I think there are no mean people, just people who act mean. This may be the idealist in me wishing, hoping and naively believing all people are good, but it is how I want to view with world so I am content.
I think there are some people who act mean frequently. Maybe theirs is a burden I will never understand, but I am sad for them nonetheless.
So I thereby edit my lesson.
#36: It sucks when people are mean.
What do you think? Do mean people existent, or do people just act mean?
But the more I dive into this subject, I wonder-- are people really inherently mean? Do they intend to be mean in all they do, are they always mean? Sometimes I think this is true. Sometimes someone is literally always awful to me and to others I care about, which makes me lump them into this mean category. What if they think happy people suck? This is definitely not my conclusion, because I am happy and don't suck (okay, not sound evidence but this is not the point of my post)
So then--- why are they mean? Is it their countenance, their upbrining, or maybe just something going on in their life? I know nice people can act mean, heck I have a mean streak when I am angry enough. And I don't hate nice people because they act mean sometimes, I guess I just hate the meanness.
After careful consideration, I think there are no mean people, just people who act mean. This may be the idealist in me wishing, hoping and naively believing all people are good, but it is how I want to view with world so I am content.
I think there are some people who act mean frequently. Maybe theirs is a burden I will never understand, but I am sad for them nonetheless.
So I thereby edit my lesson.
#36: It sucks when people are mean.
What do you think? Do mean people existent, or do people just act mean?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
#36: Never Suppress a Kind Thought
About 2 years ago I went to stake conference for my church and was counseled to never suppress a kind thought. That really struck me, because often I was filled with kind thoughts but often I let them pass. Why? Because my act of kindness might be awkward, inconvenient or even ill-received. I worried about how someone my perceive my action or how they would react. Could I muster up the courage to do it anyway?
So I took the counsel. I (for the most part, being imperfect and limited in many ways) have very intentionally acted upon the kind thoughts that enter my mind.
I was reminded of this just the other day. I walked home from school and saw someone I had once talked to who I knew was in the business school. I smiled instantly and said "Hi! How are you doing?" He looked at me like I was kind of crazy and continued walking. I just smiled and laughed. Because yeah, there are still some awkward moments, some that make you question your kindness. Those never quite go away. But then, there are in numerous moments where you did some something kind for another person, and you made their day. You may have answered their prayer, or just left a positive impression. You may have just made them smile. And that, my friends, is why you should never supress a kind though.
Oh, what joy this counsel has brought to my life. Never suppress a kind thought.
So I took the counsel. I (for the most part, being imperfect and limited in many ways) have very intentionally acted upon the kind thoughts that enter my mind.
I was reminded of this just the other day. I walked home from school and saw someone I had once talked to who I knew was in the business school. I smiled instantly and said "Hi! How are you doing?" He looked at me like I was kind of crazy and continued walking. I just smiled and laughed. Because yeah, there are still some awkward moments, some that make you question your kindness. Those never quite go away. But then, there are in numerous moments where you did some something kind for another person, and you made their day. You may have answered their prayer, or just left a positive impression. You may have just made them smile. And that, my friends, is why you should never supress a kind though.
Oh, what joy this counsel has brought to my life. Never suppress a kind thought.
#37: How Much I Love my Family
One of my greatest realizations during college was how much I love and miss my family. I don't know why it didn't click before I left, but I really took for granted how much my family meant to me. Heck, I was excited to go at the time. But a lot of things struck me after being away from home. I missed my sisters so much. I tried to connect with them via phone or facebook, but it just wasn't the same. Sometimes I felt sad or lonely and just needed someone to talk to, and that would have been when I plopped on my moms bed and talked her ear off. Sometimes I wanted to explore nature, but I really just couldn't enjoy it as much without my dad.
Our family has gone through a lot in the past few years. I love them so much, and I hope they realize how much they mean to me. I am not always the kindest to my family. It is a hard truth that sometimes we are most cruel to the ones we love most. It is also true that often we take for granted that which we love most. I have learned both of these things in my college experience, but mostly to appreciate the the people you love, and let them know how much you care often.
This past weekend I spent with my family was incredible. I took long walks with my dad, Heather did my makeup. Lauren and I fought over covers sharing a bed, Mom and I worked on a craft together. What a perfect weekend.
How grateful I am for my family.
Our family has gone through a lot in the past few years. I love them so much, and I hope they realize how much they mean to me. I am not always the kindest to my family. It is a hard truth that sometimes we are most cruel to the ones we love most. It is also true that often we take for granted that which we love most. I have learned both of these things in my college experience, but mostly to appreciate the the people you love, and let them know how much you care often.
This past weekend I spent with my family was incredible. I took long walks with my dad, Heather did my makeup. Lauren and I fought over covers sharing a bed, Mom and I worked on a craft together. What a perfect weekend.
How grateful I am for my family.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Hello Kitty has prevented me from posting...
No Seriously.
In my Business Law Class my professor admits the slides and content are really boring. In an effort to liven them up he puts completely random pictures on the slides. Yesterday, while we were going over sales remedies he chose a hello kitty theme. All semester long he has had random pictures (most of October were animals in Halloween costumes), and thus I have not been able to pay attention at all. Seriously, how can I focus on torts when a dog is in a princess leia costume on the same slide?
And that is why I haven't been blogging. Tomorrow we have a huge paper that is due. And what have I learned so far in this class? To never ever dress up an animal in a halloween costume, except in dire need of amusement. Not so much about strict liability, intentional torts or negligence. So instead of blogging, I have been learning/cramming Business Law the past few days in attempt to not bring up animal cruelty in my paper.
So enjoy a few of my faves from our last lecture. And really, a banana purse?
In my Business Law Class my professor admits the slides and content are really boring. In an effort to liven them up he puts completely random pictures on the slides. Yesterday, while we were going over sales remedies he chose a hello kitty theme. All semester long he has had random pictures (most of October were animals in Halloween costumes), and thus I have not been able to pay attention at all. Seriously, how can I focus on torts when a dog is in a princess leia costume on the same slide?
And that is why I haven't been blogging. Tomorrow we have a huge paper that is due. And what have I learned so far in this class? To never ever dress up an animal in a halloween costume, except in dire need of amusement. Not so much about strict liability, intentional torts or negligence. So instead of blogging, I have been learning/cramming Business Law the past few days in attempt to not bring up animal cruelty in my paper.
So enjoy a few of my faves from our last lecture. And really, a banana purse?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
# 38: The system, not the people
Today I had a really interesting experience in one of my classes that made me have an AHA! moment and put some things in perspective for me.
We were doing a simulation where the class was divided into 6 departments of a company with a few people in each department. Our goal in the simulation was to maximize profit for our own department. During the game there were 10 weeks where each department had to decide to "sell" or "buy". The payout schedule was such that if every single department decided to buy, each department made $1000. However, if one department decided not to buy, it would make $5000 while every other department lost $1000. There were multiple levels of this payout depending on how many sold or bought, but the gist is you typically made more by selling . However, if everyone sold, each department lost $1000. So for you to be profitable selling, you had to make someone else lose a lot. Are you following me?
So my department decided we wanted to work for the mutual benefit (and encourage other people to all buy too, so we would all be positive and no one would lose). Time after time we were the only department to invest. Even after we had a "company wide" meeting and every single department agreed to invest, still most firms decided to "cheat" and sell thereby gaining a lot at the expense of all the other departments.
You may wonder--what the heck does this have to do with anything? Well, I was kind of bummed by this game. I felt like people were lying, cheating and otherwise only acting in self interest when playing this game. I have felt like this in a lot of other experiences, most of which were not simulations. I have felt really lonely in caring for causes greater than myself, and have even felt angst to those who didn't share in my fight.
But after discussing the simulation I realized something really important. It wasn't the people, it was the system. They were set up with an incentive system that made them act only for themselves. They were not un-ethical or wrong in doing their best for the goal laid ahead of them, the flaw was that their incentive WAS to only think of themselves.
This makes me think a lot about the work that I do, and a lot of the societal problems our country faces right now. You know, I don't really think it is because people generally are un-ethical or greedy or just plain mean. It is because the incentive system in much of society makes it that to get ahead (or our standard of ahead), often someone most only think in their short term self interest, and not in a common interest.
So how can I be upset when someone doesn't care about something as much as I do? Or someone doesn't advocate for the common good in most situations? Well, its not the person. Its the system.
I will still always be the person who invests, who tries to change the system. And I still will try to recruit every other person I can to change it with me... but in the end it may be a little while before society finally invests in its shared future. And I am okay with that.
We were doing a simulation where the class was divided into 6 departments of a company with a few people in each department. Our goal in the simulation was to maximize profit for our own department. During the game there were 10 weeks where each department had to decide to "sell" or "buy". The payout schedule was such that if every single department decided to buy, each department made $1000. However, if one department decided not to buy, it would make $5000 while every other department lost $1000. There were multiple levels of this payout depending on how many sold or bought, but the gist is you typically made more by selling . However, if everyone sold, each department lost $1000. So for you to be profitable selling, you had to make someone else lose a lot. Are you following me?
So my department decided we wanted to work for the mutual benefit (and encourage other people to all buy too, so we would all be positive and no one would lose). Time after time we were the only department to invest. Even after we had a "company wide" meeting and every single department agreed to invest, still most firms decided to "cheat" and sell thereby gaining a lot at the expense of all the other departments.
You may wonder--what the heck does this have to do with anything? Well, I was kind of bummed by this game. I felt like people were lying, cheating and otherwise only acting in self interest when playing this game. I have felt like this in a lot of other experiences, most of which were not simulations. I have felt really lonely in caring for causes greater than myself, and have even felt angst to those who didn't share in my fight.
But after discussing the simulation I realized something really important. It wasn't the people, it was the system. They were set up with an incentive system that made them act only for themselves. They were not un-ethical or wrong in doing their best for the goal laid ahead of them, the flaw was that their incentive WAS to only think of themselves.
This makes me think a lot about the work that I do, and a lot of the societal problems our country faces right now. You know, I don't really think it is because people generally are un-ethical or greedy or just plain mean. It is because the incentive system in much of society makes it that to get ahead (or our standard of ahead), often someone most only think in their short term self interest, and not in a common interest.
So how can I be upset when someone doesn't care about something as much as I do? Or someone doesn't advocate for the common good in most situations? Well, its not the person. Its the system.
I will still always be the person who invests, who tries to change the system. And I still will try to recruit every other person I can to change it with me... but in the end it may be a little while before society finally invests in its shared future. And I am okay with that.
#39: Cat Pee Glows in the Dark
So, you know this may be silly... but after my first semester of college I compiled a list of what I had learned so far. And... that made it on the list. It was written on the bathroom door at Cottage Inn Pizza, one of my favorite home town restaraunts in Ann Arbor.
Lesson Learned: Cat Pee Glows in the Dark.
I never said they were all life changing or even relevant.
Also, enjoy a lolcat from one of my favorite homework procrastination sites.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
#40: Snow Boots
No, I was not in Kansas anymore. Or Texas for that matter. During my first semester in Michigan as November crept in I began to realize something very hard to deal with, something uncomfortable, something horrid-- that my feet were always cold!
You know, southern shoes are just not made the same way northern shoes are. Albeit that most of my shoe wardrobe (shoe-drobe?) consisted of open toed shoes and sandals as appropriate in Texas, even my more hearty shoes really couldn't take the looming call of winter. I remember my mom trying to "equip" me with some shoes for the cold weather. From this quest comes the tale of my first pair of snow boots.
My Mom and I (in September mind you) were searching for snow boots and just couldnt find anything, and then a handsome fellow at the payless said he had just the idea. He rushed to the back and came out with-- nothing else but moon boots! YES! MOON BOOTS! They were big and puffy and silvery and shiny and... they were just moon boots!
Don't believe me? Check out those babies! They were the only winter boots I had most of my freshman year. Eventually I felt like such a dork (I mean so incredibly cool) that I begged my aunt to take me to the store for some new boots.
My new boots were plain and black and could be worn with everything-- but they were not my moon boots :(
Lesson Learned: Don't shop out of season, always use the proper foot wear and last but not least, moon boots are still IN!
40 days and 40 ways: A tribute to my Collegiate Experience
Today I was reflecting on the fact that I graduate from the University of Michigan in only 40 days! I have realized that so much of this experience has been of an individual nature, and that I have rarely had the opportunity to share exactly what I have been learning (or how I have been changing) since I arrived 3 and half years ago.
In celebration of my last 40 days, I plan to write daily about some tidbit of information or lesson I have learned through my college experience. This may be something I learned in a classroom, on a job, in a meeting or who knows-- in a bathroom stall. I will spend 10 entries on each year of my undergraduate experience. This will most likely not be chronological, primarily because it will be more interesting for me that way :)
I hope you enjoy, share and comment on these entries. I also hope they give you a little more insight into who I am and how I have grown.
Thanks for reading.
Kristin
In celebration of my last 40 days, I plan to write daily about some tidbit of information or lesson I have learned through my college experience. This may be something I learned in a classroom, on a job, in a meeting or who knows-- in a bathroom stall. I will spend 10 entries on each year of my undergraduate experience. This will most likely not be chronological, primarily because it will be more interesting for me that way :)
I hope you enjoy, share and comment on these entries. I also hope they give you a little more insight into who I am and how I have grown.
Thanks for reading.
Kristin
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Power of Hope
Getting ready for General Conference for my Church (can't wait!) I found this link I wanted to share with the blog world. Have you seen it?
http://www.lds.org/topic/hope/
Happy Friday!
http://www.lds.org/topic/hope/
Happy Friday!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What's going onnnnn?
Okay blog. FAIL! I haven't posted since July. What's up with that? I haven't forgotten about you, nor do I intend to deprive you of such precious input ever again. In the meantime, here are a few things I have been up to since July:
*Moving back to Michigan and setting up my very own first ever APARTMENT!!!! WEEE!
*Starting school, blah blah blah study study study.
*Spending way too much time doing things besides school.
read read twilight twilight john john wedding wedding sleep sleep work work. Did you follow that?
*Turning 22!!!! WOO HOO! Post to come chronicling awesome birthday-ness.
*job hunting? Okay it is the countdown to Kristin graduating. I need to be taking this a little more seriously...
*Just discovered dr. mario on my sweet nintendo. Not Good.
Well-- that's it for now. Hopefully some other AWESOME stuff coming up!
<3 Kristin
*Moving back to Michigan and setting up my very own first ever APARTMENT!!!! WEEE!
*Starting school, blah blah blah study study study.
*Spending way too much time doing things besides school.
read read twilight twilight john john wedding wedding sleep sleep work work. Did you follow that?
*Turning 22!!!! WOO HOO! Post to come chronicling awesome birthday-ness.
*job hunting? Okay it is the countdown to Kristin graduating. I need to be taking this a little more seriously...
*Just discovered dr. mario on my sweet nintendo. Not Good.
Well-- that's it for now. Hopefully some other AWESOME stuff coming up!
<3 Kristin
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Carpal-- what? and Mary Kay
Hello friends!
Apparently I have been blogging WAY too much, because it seems I have developed Carpal Tunnel syndrome. YUCK! How did this happen? I AM TOO young! Okay, not a confirmed case but my wrist hurts in all the right places and my super smart nurse practitioner mommy thinks this is what it is. I am pretty sure logging all those library books at the AFB this summer must have done me in, since I am not a frequent blogger, and I have cut way back on my email and internet use this summer. Has anyone else had this problem? What do you do to fix it? I am having trouble sleeping because I can't find a pain-free position for my hand, so I am considering a brace.
In other exciting/non-painful news, I just started my own Mary Kay Business! Yep! Kristin Bates, small business owner, future pink cadillac driver, goddess divine of liptstick. Okay, kidding. But I am really excited about Mary Kay, it is a great opportunity, a great excuse for girl time, and I really love the products (how soft do my hands/lips/face feel right now!!!!) Plus, I am hoping to save some of my earnings to pay off some wedding stuff :) Check me out on the web or let me know if you have any questions about my exciting new adventure!
Heading back to Ann Arbor in two weeks, so excited for it. Really, really excited. WOO! Hope everyone is well, give me a buzz sometime if we haven't talked in a while :)
<3 Kristin
Apparently I have been blogging WAY too much, because it seems I have developed Carpal Tunnel syndrome. YUCK! How did this happen? I AM TOO young! Okay, not a confirmed case but my wrist hurts in all the right places and my super smart nurse practitioner mommy thinks this is what it is. I am pretty sure logging all those library books at the AFB this summer must have done me in, since I am not a frequent blogger, and I have cut way back on my email and internet use this summer. Has anyone else had this problem? What do you do to fix it? I am having trouble sleeping because I can't find a pain-free position for my hand, so I am considering a brace.
In other exciting/non-painful news, I just started my own Mary Kay Business! Yep! Kristin Bates, small business owner, future pink cadillac driver, goddess divine of liptstick. Okay, kidding. But I am really excited about Mary Kay, it is a great opportunity, a great excuse for girl time, and I really love the products (how soft do my hands/lips/face feel right now!!!!) Plus, I am hoping to save some of my earnings to pay off some wedding stuff :) Check me out on the web or let me know if you have any questions about my exciting new adventure!
Heading back to Ann Arbor in two weeks, so excited for it. Really, really excited. WOO! Hope everyone is well, give me a buzz sometime if we haven't talked in a while :)
<3 Kristin
Saturday, July 11, 2009
and by the way... a principal, really?
okay people, that is boring! I WANTED YOU TO VOTE PASTRY CHEF and thereby rationalize my dreaming. Thanks to those who participated:)
P.S. My dress came in--- YAY!
P.S. My dress came in--- YAY!
Couldn't I just have PRUNE cravings?
So I am not a fast food burger person. I usually eat burgers from fast food restaurants like...twice a year max, primarily because I don't usually want them. But this summer, as I attempt to drop a few pounds before the wedding, all I want is to pull over and get a burger and some fries, and a chocolate shake. Seriously? WHY ME?!
I drive by a burger king on my way to and from work, and I always have to play a mental game with myself not to go in and abandon my uber-healthy breakfast or dinner plans. Heck, I consider abandoning my lunch pretty much every day to run to this stupid Burger King (and some days I drive our blind volunteers there just to go. And get a diet coke.)
Couldn't we all just crave prunes? Or celery?! The food that burns more calories than than it is worth to digest! I would even settle for just craving the veggies I like a lot. What is making the greasy, gonna hurt my tummy after burger seem so appealing to me? Is it the marketing associated with it, the mass quantity of calories from fat-- or is just because I can't have it right now?Boo hiss. Angry at food. And the fact that I can't wait to taste wedding cake tomorrow at the bridal show. Probably should work on that...
Friday, June 26, 2009
What Should I Do With My Life?
As many of you know, I am graduating in December. Somehow I always thought that when people graduated from college they had their lives together. Hmph! What a stinking LIE! Perhaps I will figure it out in the next few months, but I highly doubt it.
I think my problem with deciding what career I want to explore is that I am interested in a VERY wide variety of things. I have always thought I would work for a non-profit. Well? Which one do I work for? Is there really ONE cause I care so much about I want to devote my career and life's work to? Nope. Not really.
I know for me, the point of life is to be happy, healthy and surrounded by those I love. So, ultimately a career isn't going to make or break my life, But! There are just so many things I want to do! Okay... well maybe too many things. How do I choose??? Below features a list of possible career options, albeit random, that have popped in my mind for consideration (serious or not). This may be a glance at the extraordinary mirk of my mind or a tribute to my ADD, but alas--possible career paths for Kristin are below. Oh, and don't forget to vote which one you think is most promising ;)
Wouldn't I be the best Old Folks Home Activities Director ? I am full of energy and enjoy planning things, I love spending time with older people, and have an interest in gerontology from the public health side. SEE! My life's calling! Okay, well the downside would be yucky smells, and potentially high turnover of clients, but seriously who doesn't wanna play that much bingo??
Or, I could be a Pastry Chef!!! Now that would be the life! I could start my own bakery, be my own boss!! AND-- how cute are cakes? Seriously, I want to do this for the cuteness. Think of the creative marketing I could do for a bakery. Plus, John already volunteered to by my personal taste tester!! Might not be so good for this whole losing weight thing though...
So much for the fluffy stuff, I should be an IRS Auditor! I have a friend who works for the IRS, it sounds like paradise in this economy. Farely good income with great benefits and tons of vacation days, plus they are everywhere so relocation might not be too bad. And let's face it, I am just that hardcore. Take a couple more accounting classes (so I hated those... whatever!) and I am game! So maybe everyone you know will hate you and then ask you to do their taxes. WHAT A DEAL!
Okay, last but not least... I should be a School Principal!! I want to go to grad school anyway, and I have always wanted to teach at some point in my life. I could work my way up to administration and be a principal! It would use my love of helping people (all those poor kids), need for management and leadership and provide a lot of cool ways to outreach to the community. Yep, that would be AWESOME. Who doesn't want to put those bullies in their place? So maybe my yard would be tee-pee'd a lot. I would be the BIG Man (WOMAN!) on campus. Now... what subject do I want to teach before my swift rise to administration???
So there you go, four great career options for Kristin. Which do you think is most promising? Any more not on my list that you think are a perfect fit?
Disclaimer: While I am considering these and many more options, this is more for fun than anything :P
I think my problem with deciding what career I want to explore is that I am interested in a VERY wide variety of things. I have always thought I would work for a non-profit. Well? Which one do I work for? Is there really ONE cause I care so much about I want to devote my career and life's work to? Nope. Not really.
I know for me, the point of life is to be happy, healthy and surrounded by those I love. So, ultimately a career isn't going to make or break my life, But! There are just so many things I want to do! Okay... well maybe too many things. How do I choose??? Below features a list of possible career options, albeit random, that have popped in my mind for consideration (serious or not). This may be a glance at the extraordinary mirk of my mind or a tribute to my ADD, but alas--possible career paths for Kristin are below. Oh, and don't forget to vote which one you think is most promising ;)
Wouldn't I be the best Old Folks Home Activities Director ? I am full of energy and enjoy planning things, I love spending time with older people, and have an interest in gerontology from the public health side. SEE! My life's calling! Okay, well the downside would be yucky smells, and potentially high turnover of clients, but seriously who doesn't wanna play that much bingo??
Or, I could be a Pastry Chef!!! Now that would be the life! I could start my own bakery, be my own boss!! AND-- how cute are cakes? Seriously, I want to do this for the cuteness. Think of the creative marketing I could do for a bakery. Plus, John already volunteered to by my personal taste tester!! Might not be so good for this whole losing weight thing though...So much for the fluffy stuff, I should be an IRS Auditor! I have a friend who works for the IRS, it sounds like paradise in this economy. Farely good income with great benefits and tons of vacation days, plus they are everywhere so relocation might not be too bad. And let's face it, I am just that hardcore. Take a couple more accounting classes (so I hated those... whatever!) and I am game! So maybe everyone you know will hate you and then ask you to do their taxes. WHAT A DEAL!
Okay, last but not least... I should be a School Principal!! I want to go to grad school anyway, and I have always wanted to teach at some point in my life. I could work my way up to administration and be a principal! It would use my love of helping people (all those poor kids), need for management and leadership and provide a lot of cool ways to outreach to the community. Yep, that would be AWESOME. Who doesn't want to put those bullies in their place? So maybe my yard would be tee-pee'd a lot. I would be the BIG Man (WOMAN!) on campus. Now... what subject do I want to teach before my swift rise to administration???
So there you go, four great career options for Kristin. Which do you think is most promising? Any more not on my list that you think are a perfect fit?
Disclaimer: While I am considering these and many more options, this is more for fun than anything :P
Thursday, June 11, 2009
thrift crazed, deal loving, bride gone mad
Yesterday driving home from Dallas I was just in one of the brightest, happy-go lucky moods. I started reflecting- gosh why am I so darn elated?? Immediately I realized, it was because I got a deal!!
I am officially a deal dork. Nothing gives me a high like finding something I need, much lower than the market price (there's to my not so deal business education!)
Lately I have been doing a lot of wedding planning- and I find myself scouring craigslist (in any city I might happen to travel to) and I have to admit I am probably going to have a gorgeous wedding, for 1/10 the price of most people!!! Now isn't that just AWESOME? Okay, so you may not be a deal-seeker like me, but here are some good finds I have made lately.
Brown Silk Ribbon-- 20 cents a yard! helloo that is awesome!!
Hurricane Vases 8.5 inches tall-- $2 a piece. These are like $15 bucks retail my friend.
Silk Roses for about $.20 a stem! woah!! I am making my own centerpieces, bouquets, boutinieeres, and corsages. woop!
Feaux Coffee Bean Vase Fillers I want to add a brown touch to the centerpieces, so I thought I might use Coffee Beans that a lot of people are using. But coffee beans are pricy! So I am going to spray paint regular beans (which are cheap), that lovely dark chocolate cover. Brilliant! I know!!!
In other exciting thriftiness- I am making my own veil! They wanted $200 for one where I bought my dress (on sale of course)... but the fabric is like 50 cents a yard. So! My mom and I are making it. I just finished the trim, put it on the hair comb, and now onto beading!! I want it to look like this...
With detail something like below (ambitious much?)
I will probably spend $20 total on the veil. WAY TO GO!
Finally, in salute to my fine thriftiness, I have found someone in the ward who just got married and is going to let me borrow all of her organza fabric to make the church ceiling look like this. WOOOHOOOO!
Okay, that was too much fun. I have a ton more "thrifty wedding ideas" in practice-- will probably post more along the way!
I am officially a deal dork. Nothing gives me a high like finding something I need, much lower than the market price (there's to my not so deal business education!)
Lately I have been doing a lot of wedding planning- and I find myself scouring craigslist (in any city I might happen to travel to) and I have to admit I am probably going to have a gorgeous wedding, for 1/10 the price of most people!!! Now isn't that just AWESOME? Okay, so you may not be a deal-seeker like me, but here are some good finds I have made lately.
Brown Silk Ribbon-- 20 cents a yard! helloo that is awesome!!
Hurricane Vases 8.5 inches tall-- $2 a piece. These are like $15 bucks retail my friend.
Silk Roses for about $.20 a stem! woah!! I am making my own centerpieces, bouquets, boutinieeres, and corsages. woop!
Feaux Coffee Bean Vase Fillers I want to add a brown touch to the centerpieces, so I thought I might use Coffee Beans that a lot of people are using. But coffee beans are pricy! So I am going to spray paint regular beans (which are cheap), that lovely dark chocolate cover. Brilliant! I know!!!
In other exciting thriftiness- I am making my own veil! They wanted $200 for one where I bought my dress (on sale of course)... but the fabric is like 50 cents a yard. So! My mom and I are making it. I just finished the trim, put it on the hair comb, and now onto beading!! I want it to look like this...
With detail something like below (ambitious much?)
I will probably spend $20 total on the veil. WAY TO GO!Finally, in salute to my fine thriftiness, I have found someone in the ward who just got married and is going to let me borrow all of her organza fabric to make the church ceiling look like this. WOOOHOOOO!
Okay, that was too much fun. I have a ton more "thrifty wedding ideas" in practice-- will probably post more along the way!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lady, my sweet pooch
This is my sweet dog Lady. She looks like a puppy, but she is really just a squatty lab mix. Anwyay, my family got her 3 years ago (actually to replace me when I left for college). She used to be a bit nuts, but she has calmed down and is a really sweet, loyal and squirell obsessed dog.
Anyway, the point of this late night post is that many of you may not know the Texas Kristin... so hopefully a series of posts will teach ya a little bit about me :)
UP Next: Kristin the Grapevine Fabulous Fillie. Pictures will be included...
Anyway, the point of this late night post is that many of you may not know the Texas Kristin... so hopefully a series of posts will teach ya a little bit about me :)
UP Next: Kristin the Grapevine Fabulous Fillie. Pictures will be included...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Dear Taylor Swift
Last week when "Love Song" by Taylor Swift came on the radio (a really catchy popular tune that I find really cute), my sister laughed and remarked,
Dear Taylor Swift,
Just in case you didn't know, Romeo and Juliet didn't end well. Also, the girl from the Scarlett Letter was a whore. Good job.
Love,
Shakespeare
I almost died laughing. That song just came up on my pandora and I couldn't stop laughing just thinking about it. Anyway, my sister is pretty much the spunkiest girl I have ever met. I sometimes wonder if I had that much attitude at 15?? Probably.
That's her being adorable on the right, my other sister Heather on the left. Oh Man.
Back to work-- have a great weekend!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
wedding dress, internships and car-hopping
Hello blog world,
Forgive me for my excessive despondency. Lots of stuff has happened since my last post... but the past is past and here is the present!
- I bought a wedding dress yesterday!!!!! It is real! I am getting married soon! Okay, January 2nd (I think) so not super soon... but it is becoming more real! My mom and I have been planning etc etc, my colors are chocolate and ivory. So my dress is going to have sleeves added and it will also be in ivory. YAY! Check out my wedding dress!
-I started my internship with the American Foundation for the Blind, I am really excited about it so far. I am creating a library catalog for them and classifying all of the books they have, and then connecting to libraries/other agencies to make people more aware of the library they have. Woo hoo!
-I am heading back to Michigan in the middle of June for a week to take care of John. He is having surgery on his acl (sadface...) and needs someone to be with him. I miss him a ton so I am just excited to be visiting.
-Okay, I am really a workaholic. I have gotten a part time job on top of my internship at Sonic. Right now I only work in the fountain- but soon I will carhop. In all honesty, I really can't stand the job thus far. I have worked a lot of jobs... and this is the pits. In other news I am doing weight watchers- so despite my frequence to the Sonic- I am NOT eating any of their food- drinks and yummy icecream included. I have already lost 6 pounds.... so I am gonna stick to it and look super beautiful in my wedding dress.
Lol- okay that's it for now. More updates on home sweet home Texas soon. Being with family has been rocking, even if I am away from my friends elsewhere.
Love ya wherever you are!
Kristin
Forgive me for my excessive despondency. Lots of stuff has happened since my last post... but the past is past and here is the present!
- I bought a wedding dress yesterday!!!!! It is real! I am getting married soon! Okay, January 2nd (I think) so not super soon... but it is becoming more real! My mom and I have been planning etc etc, my colors are chocolate and ivory. So my dress is going to have sleeves added and it will also be in ivory. YAY! Check out my wedding dress!
-I started my internship with the American Foundation for the Blind, I am really excited about it so far. I am creating a library catalog for them and classifying all of the books they have, and then connecting to libraries/other agencies to make people more aware of the library they have. Woo hoo!
-I am heading back to Michigan in the middle of June for a week to take care of John. He is having surgery on his acl (sadface...) and needs someone to be with him. I miss him a ton so I am just excited to be visiting.
-Okay, I am really a workaholic. I have gotten a part time job on top of my internship at Sonic. Right now I only work in the fountain- but soon I will carhop. In all honesty, I really can't stand the job thus far. I have worked a lot of jobs... and this is the pits. In other news I am doing weight watchers- so despite my frequence to the Sonic- I am NOT eating any of their food- drinks and yummy icecream included. I have already lost 6 pounds.... so I am gonna stick to it and look super beautiful in my wedding dress.
Lol- okay that's it for now. More updates on home sweet home Texas soon. Being with family has been rocking, even if I am away from my friends elsewhere.
Love ya wherever you are!
Kristin
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Joy, Patience and Blessings
I definitely should be in bed by now. But, I am feeling really grateful (joyful) and content, despite a really hectic day. So, I want to count some blessings.
1. Things are on the upswing. I have been really stressed lately with some personal stuff, and my emotional state has just been really pathetic. BUT!!! ALAS! Joy! Things are figuring themselves out just as God's perfect plan for me unfolds :)
2. Two Job offers in one day, within 10 minutes of another. WOOooH! Plans for the summer and living arrangements for next year are getting figured out. I feel so blessed to be given such great opportunities, and these offers really have solidified in my mind that I am making the right choices. (Because after hard but right decisions, blessings come pouring in sometimes!)
3. My family is in Disney World, and though I am sad not to be with them, they are together, they are celebrating, they are happy, healthy and have enough to eat. I don't think anything could be better than having my family in my life and knowing they are happy.
4. I have become much more patient than I use to be- which I think is a great blessing. I just think with maturity and focus I have grown into a little more of what I want to be. This manifests itself in situations I handle well, in which in a previous life (or past few years) I might have handled differently.
5. My room is clean (or closer!) John is amazing and helped me to clear the mass chaos that never really cleared up from earlier in the semester. It is such a blessing to be able to live here, to be able to be healthy where I live and to have peace and clarity and the spirit in my home.
6. WARM WEATHER! I think often that the sun is the smile of God. He is giving us all just a glimpse of his radiance :) What an amazing blessing.
7. I am just happy. To be where I am and where I am going. I feel like I am in a pretty good place right now. Though this may seem fleeting sometimes, no matter what the situation I get the help I need, I keep the people I care about in my life and I focus on things that matter to me. I don't think anything could really be better when this is how I focus my life :)So joyful!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
My blog at a glimpse
This is a compilation of all the words on my blog, I thought it was pretty neat. Anyway, you should make your own and post it!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Blessings :)
Hello! I want to start posting 10 blessings I have felt this week every Sunday, because I am so joyful for what the Lord has done for me- and I think it is important to share these things. So here we go, enjoy!
1. I went bowling with my family this week- this was one of the first family outings I have been on in who knows how long, and it was really fun and refreshing. Having the opportunity to be home was such a privilege and a blessing.
2. I saw the sun EVERY single day last week. Not just regular sun, but warm sun. The sun constantly reminds me of God's love for me :)
3. Today was Fast Sunday, and I gave my testimony and felt the spirit really strongly. I love being at Church and feeling a genuine nearness to my Heavenly Father. What a wonderful blessing to have the freedom to worship my Lord as I chose.
4. John helped me clean my dorm today- he is the most wonderful man in the world. And, probably one of my greatest blessings. Ay the things he puts up with for me!
5. One of my best friends got engaged last night! I am grateful for her friendship, and super excited we get to plan our weddings together :)
6. John and I are going to pick a date sometime soon (as in this week I think!) We have been feeling really stuck in molasses and devoid of progress waiting to move forward with wedding plans, so it is a great blessing to be able to move forward.
7. I spent a ton of time with both my Mom and my Dad this week. I love being with them, and I feel closer to them every time we get to talk for a long time or do something fun together. I also got to learn a lot about their courtship- which was really incredible. I am so blessed to have parents who love each other so deeply, and who love me more than I can ever understand.
8. I met up with one of my best scrapbook friends this week! She is like another mother to me, and it was so great hearing talking with her and reminiscing on all that has changed since we last saw each other. Friends are best, and some of the sweetest blessings.
9. I read 5 books this week (one a day Monday-Friday), almost completely catching me up for my English Class. And the great part- I was able to focus on them all! Yay. I read the Host (okay this was for fun), Persepolis, House on Mango St., Baltimore Blues, and Lucy. I am so blessed to have had a clear mind, and an opportunity to catch up on much needed school work.
10. I did some visiting teaching today. I just love meeting with other sisters and sharing my love for them and the gospel. It is such a great blessing to be able to serve others- and let them serve you!
1. I went bowling with my family this week- this was one of the first family outings I have been on in who knows how long, and it was really fun and refreshing. Having the opportunity to be home was such a privilege and a blessing.
2. I saw the sun EVERY single day last week. Not just regular sun, but warm sun. The sun constantly reminds me of God's love for me :)
3. Today was Fast Sunday, and I gave my testimony and felt the spirit really strongly. I love being at Church and feeling a genuine nearness to my Heavenly Father. What a wonderful blessing to have the freedom to worship my Lord as I chose.
4. John helped me clean my dorm today- he is the most wonderful man in the world. And, probably one of my greatest blessings. Ay the things he puts up with for me!
5. One of my best friends got engaged last night! I am grateful for her friendship, and super excited we get to plan our weddings together :)
6. John and I are going to pick a date sometime soon (as in this week I think!) We have been feeling really stuck in molasses and devoid of progress waiting to move forward with wedding plans, so it is a great blessing to be able to move forward.
7. I spent a ton of time with both my Mom and my Dad this week. I love being with them, and I feel closer to them every time we get to talk for a long time or do something fun together. I also got to learn a lot about their courtship- which was really incredible. I am so blessed to have parents who love each other so deeply, and who love me more than I can ever understand.
8. I met up with one of my best scrapbook friends this week! She is like another mother to me, and it was so great hearing talking with her and reminiscing on all that has changed since we last saw each other. Friends are best, and some of the sweetest blessings.
9. I read 5 books this week (one a day Monday-Friday), almost completely catching me up for my English Class. And the great part- I was able to focus on them all! Yay. I read the Host (okay this was for fun), Persepolis, House on Mango St., Baltimore Blues, and Lucy. I am so blessed to have had a clear mind, and an opportunity to catch up on much needed school work.
10. I did some visiting teaching today. I just love meeting with other sisters and sharing my love for them and the gospel. It is such a great blessing to be able to serve others- and let them serve you!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Heart Attacked!!
John is pretty much the most amazing man you will ever meet- and he loves me!! He "heart attacked" my room for vday, and left some chocolate saying that if I took them and called him in the morning I would be fine. so clever! And then he led me on a scavenger hunt of notes to find my present, a hymns made easy piano book! SO perfect. So wonderful! And that is my John-David :)
Angel Quilt
This is one of my great accomplishments. I made this quilt for my mom for Christmas. I created the pattern and the angels, picked out the fabric and went to work! John's sweet mom helped me out a ton too- she had it machine quilted at a friends and bound it for me :) This was a great project, and made with love for one of the most important people in my life- my mom!
Birdies :)
Just a few shots of a bird house I made for my dad for Christmas. It is decopauged, and yes- those are pictures on the inside :) Despite mass quantities of modge-podge I highly doubt he will let any birds on it any time soon. Just thought this would be fun to share :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Kristin Bates: The ESFP
I recently have been studying personality types for my Behavioral Theory in Management class (which I love).
I tested as an ESFP (Extrovert, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving). Since then, I have been having some fun learning about me (lol or my personality type). Anyway, I could have taken from a ton of sources, but let's face it Wikipedia is not too shabby...
"ESFPs love being around people and having new experiences. Living in the here-and-now, they often do not think about long term effects or the consequences of their actions. While very practical, they generally despise routines, instead desiring to 'go with the flow.' They are, in fact, very play minded. Because ESFPs learn better through hands-on experience, classroom learning may be troublesome for many of them, especially those with a very underdeveloped intuitive side.
Others usually see ESFPs as resourceful and supportive, as well as gregarious, playful, and spontaneous. ESFPs get a lot of satisfaction out of life and are fun to be around. Their exuberance and enthusiasm draw others to them. They are flexible, adaptable, congenial, and easygoing. They seldom plan ahead, trusting their ability to respond in the moment and deal effectively with whatever presents itself. They dislike structure and routine and will generally find ways to bend the rules."
So do you think this is accurate? I thought it was! And it scared me. Something else I read even identified that I hate being alone. Which is true!! I live by myself right now and I avoid going home like the plague so I don't have to be by myself. ah!
But- I read something else about ESFP's that said we were the least likely to rely on spirituality in times of need- which is way off! Ha Ha! My personality is not constrained to a box...
What is your personality type? Does it fit you?
Blog Abandonment & Mass Chaos
Hello Blog World!
I have missed you- have you missed me?
I just finished my last midterm before break and it feels great. Well, kind of great. Maybe I am a freak, but when I get really busy certain things in my life kind of collapse. Collapse, get scrambled and out of control, and when I finally get to the end, (say my last midterm) it is time to pick up the mess! I feel like this happens as a cycle throughout the semester. I start out in normalcy, on a set schedule and by the end of the semester--> MASS CHAOS.
Examples of mass chaos may include:
-floor of my bedroom= my new not so organized shelf. That you can't see.
-emails- unresponded but "starred" so that one day they get a response. eeks.
-Laundry was done, but somehow (even being clean) has coated the not so organized shelf of my floor...
-appointments- missed, skipped, intentionally slept through (who wants allergy shots anyway??)
-occasionally skipping class- because sleep schedule is OUT OF CONTROL
-The omelette guy at the cafeteria has been asking... "where have you been?" due to excessive sleeping in.
Okay- So I am a drama queen, and a stress freak. But I am kind of dreading getting off work tonight because I have to clean up my mess. I am excited to go to Texas (and to take that much needed shower- I promise it hasn't been that long!), but I really have a lot of organizing and list making to do to be ready to start all over again in a week.
Maybe one day I will learn from my mass chaos experiences, but until next time--> it's off to clean up my mess.
p.s. Coming soon: I have some pictures of me during my freshman year under "mass chaos". Maybe all the brilliant friends I have will help me discover coping mechanisms...
I have missed you- have you missed me?
I just finished my last midterm before break and it feels great. Well, kind of great. Maybe I am a freak, but when I get really busy certain things in my life kind of collapse. Collapse, get scrambled and out of control, and when I finally get to the end, (say my last midterm) it is time to pick up the mess! I feel like this happens as a cycle throughout the semester. I start out in normalcy, on a set schedule and by the end of the semester--> MASS CHAOS.
Examples of mass chaos may include:
-floor of my bedroom= my new not so organized shelf. That you can't see.
-emails- unresponded but "starred" so that one day they get a response. eeks.
-Laundry was done, but somehow (even being clean) has coated the not so organized shelf of my floor...
-appointments- missed, skipped, intentionally slept through (who wants allergy shots anyway??)
-occasionally skipping class- because sleep schedule is OUT OF CONTROL
-The omelette guy at the cafeteria has been asking... "where have you been?" due to excessive sleeping in.
Okay- So I am a drama queen, and a stress freak. But I am kind of dreading getting off work tonight because I have to clean up my mess. I am excited to go to Texas (and to take that much needed shower- I promise it hasn't been that long!), but I really have a lot of organizing and list making to do to be ready to start all over again in a week.
Maybe one day I will learn from my mass chaos experiences, but until next time--> it's off to clean up my mess.
p.s. Coming soon: I have some pictures of me during my freshman year under "mass chaos". Maybe all the brilliant friends I have will help me discover coping mechanisms...
Thursday, January 15, 2009
More success by being joyful!
I am reading for my Behavioral Theory in Management class and I just read something that struck me (and I consider worth sharing) from the Book "The Art of Possibility" by Zander and Zander.
"You are more likely to be successful, overall, if you participate joyfully with projects and goals and do not think your life depends on achieving the mark because then you will be better able to connect to people all around you. On the whole, resources are likely to come to you in greater abundance when you are generous and inclusive and engage in your passion for life. There aren't any guarantees, of course. When you are oriented in abundance, you care less about being in control, and you take more risks. You may give away short term profits in pursuit of a bigger dream; you make take a long view without being able to predict the outcome. In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold."
I think this is really neat- and really interesting when I am surrounded (in Business School) by a ton of people doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to have an edge and get ahead of the other person. As a generality, most people in my classes have seemed to value competition, pride, success and money. And don't let me fool you- there are some really nice people at school with me, and in some regards their go-get-'em attitude is wonderful. BUT- I do think this attitude, this "universe of possibility" will lead to a much greater happiness. Anyway, just my thoughts for the day <3
Kristin :)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Overview of the Holidays
Hey all! So instead of write an expose on each thing I did over break I thought I would highlight some of the greater moments since I got out of finals!)
The day of my last final, to celebrate I stayed up all night sewing a bag. Yep, dork.
While I was still in Michigan I convinced John to play hookie and go have a "christmas day" with me. We headed to Frankenmuth, and also hit a tree farm on the way.
We got our first ever Christmas tree together. And... we even decorated it! We only got to enjoy it for a few days, but it was so much fun!
I prepared and sang a song with John for my family (it was called Star Bright, and we sang in Spanish and in English!)
I gave my mom a homemade quilt (I even designed the top!) and my dad a decoupaged bird house. (pictures to come)
I went to midnight mass with my family, then woke up the next morning for presents and egg nog french toast (YUM).
John had a birthday, so I planned a party :)
I went bridesmaid dress shopping (yes, one of my BEST buds Jamie is getting married and chose me to be a bridesmaid!!!!!)
I went to Arkansas, hung with John's awesome fam and saw one of his nephews be baptized!
I went to the emergency room at 4 in the morning... yeah not being able to breathe is scary. (allergy attack-gah!)
I went to a church new years dance, and then hardly could stay up through the new year.
I had a wonderful, relaxing break where I cherished many loved ones and felt enriched by their love and the spirit. Oh what a joyous season! Christ is born!
And now, feeling prepared and ready to get going... it's back to the grind!
<3 Kristin
The day of my last final, to celebrate I stayed up all night sewing a bag. Yep, dork.
While I was still in Michigan I convinced John to play hookie and go have a "christmas day" with me. We headed to Frankenmuth, and also hit a tree farm on the way.
We got our first ever Christmas tree together. And... we even decorated it! We only got to enjoy it for a few days, but it was so much fun!
I prepared and sang a song with John for my family (it was called Star Bright, and we sang in Spanish and in English!)
I gave my mom a homemade quilt (I even designed the top!) and my dad a decoupaged bird house. (pictures to come)
I went to midnight mass with my family, then woke up the next morning for presents and egg nog french toast (YUM).
John had a birthday, so I planned a party :)
I went bridesmaid dress shopping (yes, one of my BEST buds Jamie is getting married and chose me to be a bridesmaid!!!!!)
I went to Arkansas, hung with John's awesome fam and saw one of his nephews be baptized!
I went to the emergency room at 4 in the morning... yeah not being able to breathe is scary. (allergy attack-gah!)
I went to a church new years dance, and then hardly could stay up through the new year.
I had a wonderful, relaxing break where I cherished many loved ones and felt enriched by their love and the spirit. Oh what a joyous season! Christ is born!
And now, feeling prepared and ready to get going... it's back to the grind!
<3 Kristin
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