D'Ya Miss Me?

Well, hello there blog! It's officially been six days since I've updated. I know you feel neglected. I'm sorry. Work, laziness, exhaustion and DVR have been kicking my butt lately. You know that DVR. He's a real workhorse.

Anyhoo. I really have nothing to say at this point of the day because well volleyball and cross country advances as well as SAAC (Student Athlete-Advisory Committee) meetings have completely sucked the words right out of my head. Not to mention that concentration has completely run away from me and I can't for the life of me seem to get the little booger to come back. It's a tough world without concentration, folks.

So, as I usually do when I have nothing else to write about, I'm just going to post one of those blog listy-survey type things.

Enjoy reading about things that you probably would otherwise not care about. And feel free to walk away from the computer at anytime due to the feeling of utter boredom that might overcome you. It's symbolic really.

1. Tell something about your favorite teacher.
I've had a few favorite teachers in my life. A lot in high school and just a few in college (props to Karyn Brown). However there are two from high school that will always hold a special place in my heart -- Coach Rob(inson) and Mr. Avalon.

Coach Rob taught me 10th grade World History. This guy made me love history, and that's a feat in itself. His style of teaching was unlike any other style I've ever known and his love for Christ exuded every day. In a public school system, where prayer was not aloud, he was bold enough to give us a bible verse to memorize as a bonus question for each test. His enthusiam about teaching made me enthusiastic about learning and he genuinely cared about each one of his students.

Mr. Avalon taught me AP English but I was privileged enough to spend two full years with him in journalism. This guy sparked my love for writing and creativity in a way that I cannot explain and he singled-handedly made me the most sarcastic and boldest person that I've ever been. He taught me how to write 10-12 page paper with exstravegant wordy language in one class and then taught me how to be creative and interesting through clear and concise writing in another. He is the reason that I'm doing what I am doing right now -- writing. And he always started every one of his senior English classes (the first class of every year) telling his students that they had one get out of jail free card to use on him and that was it. And he meant it. I still haven't had to use mine. Yet.

2. Tell about one pivotal moment in your life.
Yikes. I feel like I've had several pivotal moments in my life. Of course, I could always play the God card and say that the day that I was saved was the extreme pivotal moment in my life and that would be exactly right. I could also talk about that one morning that I just woke up and realized that I didn't need a certain friend in my life anymore. But I will say that getting "the call" from my sister one day saying that I needed to come home because my dad was in the hospital had to have been one of the most pivotal moments in my life. That day, that weekend, I learned to lean not on my own understanding for what seemed like the first time in my life. The weird mix of peace and confusion that I had was surreal but at the end of the day, I knew that my God reigned and that this was just another battle that he had conquered on His own.

3. About favorite colors -- a lot of people will ask you what it is, but why. What feeling or memory does it evoke.
This may come as no surprise for most people that read this blog. And it's completely and genuinely true. Maroon is my favorite color. It evokes feelings of pride and excitement in me that really not a lot of things can. It recalls memories of great wins and awful losses, sitting through scortching temperatures and frigid ones, rain and tornadoes until the last second has run off the clock. It causes my heart and soul to swell up with pride that I had fallen in line of a great family legacy and become a MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOG!

4. What is a sure sign that you are getting older?
Lately, I would say forgetfulness because y'all, that has become my demon recently. But I would have to say worry. I'm not the worrying kind but I feel like I worry more now than I did when I was little. I know it's because I know more now than I did then.

5. Halloween -- it is a yes or a no for you (don't sermonize)?
Give or take with me. It's no Thanksgiving or Christmas or Easter or 4th of July (all coincide with athletic events or some kind of fancy parade), but it has its moments. To me, I'm not a big dress up and go party person (sometimes I am) but I L-O-V-E carving pumpkins. It's the creativity bug. And don't forget the candy.

6. What is your favorite musical?
Hands down, Wicked. I have no words to explain. I get misty-eyed just thinking about "Defying Gravity". And now I'm going to have to go lock myself in my car and sing it at the top of my lungs.

7. Are you more of city mouse or a country mouse?
I would love to say I'm a little of both but my trip to NYC this summer proved that I'm more city than I am country. Given the boldness to live in a place like the Big Apple for a while, I think I'd do just fine.

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star foryou, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95, we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
We first of all, I'd never actually say something like that to someone. I'd think it. But I wouldn't say it. After all, I am a Southern girl. Anyway, my best friend in high school had a guy do this for her and although I acted like it was sweet at the time, I thought it was kind of weird-o. However, I can appreciate the act and the thought that go into it. But I'm more of a tangible girl, stuff you can touch. Like food. Now there's a good gift.

9. What is the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it?
I've texted while on the elliptical before. That's a crazy as it gets for me, folks.

10. It's not a party unless ____________________."
It's not a party unless you have Lisa Hart there playing Mad Gab. That's when things get rowdy, people.

11. When you are stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? (P.S. There are no magazines available.)
True story from the three-hour roadside wait: I pull out my iTouch and start playing games or a pull out the camera and document the occassion, thinking this will make such a great blog post later.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?
Seriously? Why wouldn't I want to be friends with me. I'm my own friend now.

Random Dozen

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.
Two come straight to mind. 1) There was a fight one day in seventh grade and a girl got her face bashed into the floor and her hair pulled out. Don't ask me why that is stuck in my head besides the fact that I managed to stay clear of the of the girl who beat her up for the next year and a half. 2) My friends and I rolled our eighth grade English teacher's car after Mississippi State won the Egg Bowl that year. She was an Ole Miss fan. She also happened to be our best friend's mom. We talked our art teacher into letting us out of third period to do it. Fake suspension papers were drawn up. Good times.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song?
Wow. Seriously. This is so hard. I'm going to go with "Hey Jude" right now.

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be?
Most definitely, t-shirt and capri sweatpants.

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?
Guest. The host has way too much to think about it. As a guest, you just show up.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?
I don't think so. There are way too many people in this world that love to mark all over books just like me.

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing?
Definitely, experiencing. I'm a hands-on, see-it-to-believe-it, watch-and-learn kind of girl.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)
Smoking cigarettes and dipping are definite deal-breakers for me.

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet?
I like a mix of both but I guess I'll say salty.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?
My "FAITH" photograph art piece. I forgot to get Dad to hang it when he was here and just haven't thought about it since.

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?
A Few Good Men. No question.

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?
Save it for a rainy day. Or a day I run out of the kind that actually like.

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.)

Candy corn.

A Meme Is A Terrible Thing To Waste

Heard about this from Melanie at This Ain't New York. Got it here from The Lid. Looked like fun.

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?

Usually a DVD from the $5 bin. I'm going to have to find a new constant. The bin is running low of quality material.

2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate?
The Twilight books. At first I thought is was weird, but I've started to warm up to it. I just don't have the time to read right now.

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about?

Hmm. This is hard because I don't get really excited about a lot of stuff. I do get a little giddy when cookie cake is involved, but I know other people who do the same thing.

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?
Sadly, I don't really sing in the shower these days. But my favorite song to sing my car, with the volume on say 100, is "Unto The Lamb" by Christ For The Nations Music or "In Christ Alone/Solid Rock" the Brook Hills version. You might catch me raising my hand if I'm really into it. And if I'm at a stop light, you can bet that both hands are probably raised.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:
Black olives. Period.

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences):
Know that you know that you know you really want to say that.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you?
Virginia. And they were going to call me Ginny. And no. I love having the name Katie. It totally fits me better than Ginny.

8. What in your life are you waiting for?
The One.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?
Well today, I got a random picture of Jason Varitek from Kumar. But usually is a book or a CD. Or a random funny card from Bethany.

10. Today--what song represents you?
Workin' For The Weekend

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself?
I'm better at writing than I really think. And apparently, I can be funny sometimes.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today?

I just randomly chose what I wore today but they definitely said that Katie is a hot little number today. Too bad it was wasted on the people I work with.

Answer the questions in the comments or on your blog and let me know if you do. I wanna know!

The Ology Post

...because everyone else is doing it. Blasted peer pressure.

FOOD-OLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch. The most fattening. Of course. I also like a good vinegarette, though.

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Tough question. I love some Cheesecake Factory. But P.F. Chang's is oh, so good. But my heart always belongs to O'Charleys. Those rolls are like crack.

What food could you eat for two weeks straight and not get sick of it? Shrimp. No question.

What are you pizza toppings of choice? Black olives and mushrooms. No meat.

What do you like to put on your toast? Peach jelly

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house? Four. Three work.

What color cell phone do you have? Black

What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? Please pray. Tonight I meet a prospective adoptive family. From a sweet and special friend.

Who was the last person to call you? Ann Weisman to ask me to babysit next Friday.

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed? Lefty.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? I think only wisdom teeth.

What is the last heavy item you lifted? Probably my nephew. Kid is a chunk.

CRAP-OLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No way.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I really wouldn't change my name. I have a good name.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? Seriously?!?! No. But I know a few guys who probably would.

DUMB-OLOGY

How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? Maybe 7?

Last time you had a run-in with the cops? Probably two years ago. The last time I got a ticket.

Last person you talked to in person? Hollie, of course.

Favorite Month? July

CURRENT-OLOGY

Missing someone? Yes, all of my family.

Mood? Is there such a thing as longing for a pool?

What are you listening to? What I Like About You on ABC Family

Worrying about? Nothing.

RANDOM-OLOGY

What's the last movie you watched? Inside Man, last night at movie night

Do you smile often? More often than not.

Do you always answer your phone? Not always. I don't answer when I'm not around it or when I don't hear it or when I don't know the number.

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Three years ago, I would've said Jason. Now? There aren't many people who would text me at 4 a.m. Maybe Casey or Bethany or Hollie in an emergency.

If you could change you eye color what would it be? More blue.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Cherry. Always cherry.

Do you own a digital camera? I own two.

Have you ever had a pet fish? Not really. My mom did. Some of her students gave her one of those Beta fish thingies.

Favorite Christmas song? Three way tie: O Holy Night!, Up On The Housetop, and Children Go Where I Send Thee

What's on your wish list for your birthday? This requires a whole post. Stay tuned.

Can you do push-ups? Push-ups. Meaning more than one. Yes. I can do two.

Can you do a chin up? Maybe.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Considering that God is in control of my future...excited

Do you have any saved texts? My phone saves my texts until I choose to delete them.

Even been in a car wreck? Five, I think.

Do you have an accent? A Southern one, I suppose.

What is the last song to make you cry? God Of This City. See below post.

Plans tonight? Take KFC to Highland Manor and hang out with Randall and Kisha and the small group folks.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Definitely, earlier this year. God brought me out though.

Name two things you bought yesterday? Gas and...that's all I bought yesterday.

You ever been given roses? Yes.

Current hate right now? This article about Adam Lambert. I guess it's more of a disgust than a hatred.

Met someone who changed your life? Definitely.

What song represents you? Right now, I'd say Coldplay's "Fix You"

What were you doing at 12 a.m. last night? Slipping into a sweet slumber where I dreamed that Hollie and I robbed a bank, then I ran out of makeup and then our oven got an upgrade, "You know, like the computer gets an upgrade? That's what they did to our oven!", said the roommate.

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I loved the fellowship last night but I wish they would've left earlier.

Do I Have To Choose?

First things first...

A) I think I look really, really cute today. Just nod your head in agreement. I know you would think so too.

B) Freakin' GO KNICKS! My Knickerbockers beat the Celtics last night and I totally just watched David Lee go aerial and do some serious dunking. Man, I love that kid. God bless Sportscenter and highlights.

C) I realize that my post yesterday probably seemed a little jumbled and made little to no sense at all. Take that as a view of what my brain looked like. (I was also distracted for a bit by the SNL Special Edition on NBC with a collection of sports spoofs throughout the years. Who knew Tom Brady was such a clown, and a good actor might I add. Michael Phelps, not so much good at the acting. But I'll still take ya, Mikey. No worries.)

Basically, I'm in a rut. A serious cold season in my life, if you will. I feel strapped and confined by my job and the little Katie inside is screaming to get out. I didn't realize how loud she was screaming until this morning when I had to go back to work, but nevertheless, she is screaming.

I just texted my friend Kyle and asked him if he wanted my job because I don't really want it anymore. Um, yikes. And nothing bad has actually happened. I'm just restless. There are things here that just don't excite me anymore. And when you're job doesn't excite, it's time for a change, right?

Anyway, onto the less depressing, more fun and reflective stuff. It's survey time. This should be interesting. My favorites from '08, straight from LT's blog. With my own answers, of course.

Favorite song in 08: Hmmm...this is hard. I like songs. I have lots of favorites. I think I'll just say my most recent favorite. Cindy Morgan's "Praise The King." Major old school but so much goodness in it. It really sums up my year.

Favorite movie in 08: Definitely, without a doubt, The Dark Knight.

Favorite new friends of 08: Coworker Hollye. Oh, and sweet church friend Raegan. It's so exciting to see God work in her life and listen to her talk about it all. It makes me so much more desperate for Him and proud that I know Him in the same way she does.

Favorite concert in 08: Hands down, Dave Matthews in Memphis. Although is was wicked hot, it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing and an amazing show.

Favorite musical group in 08: Leeland and Hillsong. Both have cranked out some doozies that have seriously broken me down in a great way.

Favorite purchase in 08: I don't really remember a lot of the things that I've purchased in the past year. Nothing really huge I don't think. Just the necessities like clothes and food. But I did buy The Italian Job from Walmart for $5 a few months ago without even having seen it before and I watched it for the first time last night. As it ended, I whispered to myself while patting my shoulder, "Good call, Katie." That's one good movie.

Favorite baby born in 08: I don't know really any babies born in 08. My nephew was born in October of 07 and he's most definitely my favorite baby ever. Although, my cousin had a baby in the Spring and he's pretty darn cute too.

Favorite TV show of 08: Here we go...The Office, 24, LOST, Chuck, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, Aces of Cakes, Project Runway

Favorite vacation spot of 08: Most definitely the beach, any beach. But this summer it was Ft. Walton Beach. Pedro's!

Favorite photo taken in 08: Well, considering that I don't have all of my pictures on my computer here, I'll just pick from the ones I have.

This picture has nothing to do with me but it's of one of my favorite moments of 08. It's right after my men's tennis team had won the conference championship and the young man that you see on the ground is Hank. That's him mom and our grad assistant Manny with him. The championship came down to his match, and it was against our most heated rival. Hank fought through major cramps and a nagging injury to win the championship for the team. He was determined not to give up and play his heart out. And when he finally won, he just collapsed. Hank was a senior and what made this moment so great was that he was in the same position just two years ago. The championship rested on his shoulders and things didn't go as well as they did for him this year. I remember sitting behind him with another administrator and his family. And seeing the pain in his eyes in the third set. He was hurting. He hesitated a bit on one serve and the coach ran over. The coach said, "What's wrong? What do you need?" And Hank answered, "I just need you here." I think I cried a little. That is what it's all about. That's the great thing of having a coach-player relationship like that. You know that you always have someone on your side, especially when it's an individual sport like that. I will always remember that moment.

So there ya go. That's my look back to 08. Now I'm looking forward to 09. Whatever it may bring.

Getting To Know You

This is the 2008 edition of getting to know your friends. I've gotten this from two people today, Bethany and my daddy, and I think I've done this one before. I'd email it back to them but they would be the only ones I'd email back, considering the rest of my friends on my email list would probably not care and immediately press delete. Anyway, I've decided to make a blog out of it. I'm slightly bored right now at work.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
8 a.m. I got to work at 9:30. Two reasons: 1) I worked all weekend long. I thought I deserved to sleep in a bit. 2) One alarm went off at 6:30, one at 7 a.m. They were reset after I thought I needed another bit of sleep after having a horrible dream that kept me up crying for at least a half hour in the middle of the night.

2. Diamonds or pearls?
I'm a KD Lady, so both.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Hmm...the only one that comes to mind is The Dark Knight but I know I've seen something since then.

4. What is your favorite TV show?
That's hard. It's a tie between Chuck, The Office, 24 and Project Runway.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
It depends. Crescent Rolls, Biscuits...this morning it was french toast sticks.

6. What is your middle name?
Jane

7. What food do you dislike?
Turnip greens

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
It's a tie again...Francesca Battastelli's Paper Heart and Brooke Fraser's Albertine

9. What kind of car do you drive?
2003 Saturn L200

10. Favorite sandwich?
Philly Cheesesteak

11. What Characteristic you despise?
Lies or denile...especially in myself

12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Australia...Sydney to be exact

13. Where would you retire to?
Anywhere there is a beach

14. What was your most memorable birthday?
hmmm...I remember just about every birthday. I've gotta go with the 16th surprise party at church though. I was oblivious.

15. Furthest place you are sending this questions to:
Wherever "the net" takes it

16. When is your birthday?
July 26

17. Morning person or a night person?
Night

18. What is your shoe size?
7ish

19. Pets?
Randi...he's my far away pet

20. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us?
I'm definitely not pregnant. (Repeated from my dad, "I'm not pregnant," and Bethany "I'm not pregnant either.)

21. What did you want to be when you were little?
I had a different one every year -- a playground architect, a teacher, a pediatrician, an OBGYN, a physical therapist/athletic trainer/orthopedic surgeon, a sportscaster, a news anchor, Katie Couric, a New York City (Knicks) dancer and a Broadway star

22. How are you today?
Pretty good

23. What is your favorite flower?
Tulips

24. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
The day that I finally have off

25. What are you listening to right now?
Sportscenter

26. What was the last thing you ate?
Lenny's

27. Do you wish on stars?
When I see one

28. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
I actually answered this one once before and I'm going to search for my answer. Hold please. Found it! Sunset Orange. The traits for this hue are warm, sociable, good-natured, jovial, and glowing. Sounds like me. I think.

29. How is the weather right now?
Pretty awesome.

30. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My
My cousin Julie

31. Favorite soft drink?
Cherry Coke

32 Favorite restaurant?
O'Charleys

33. Hair color?
Brunette

34. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Legos (this stems from wanting to be a playground architect).

35. Summer or Winter?
summer

36. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla

37. Coffee or tea?
Sweet tea with EXTRA lemon

38. Do you want your friends to email you back?
Whatev

39 When was the last time you cried?
Last night after my crazy scary nightmare

40. What is under your bed?
boxes and boxes and bags and clothes in boxes

41. What did you do last night?
Watched baseball

42. What are you afraid of?
Snakes and drowning (and yes, I am/was a certified lifeguard)

43. How many keys on your key ring?
I don't know...6?

44. How many years at your current job?
3 (2 were spent as an intern)

45. Favorite day of the week?
Any day that I have off

46. Do you make friends easily?
I've gotten better. I'm not one of those crazy outgoing people.

"It's not a too-mah!" - Kindergarten Cop

Today, I suffer from one of my bi-monthly headaches. I get a two-day headache about every too weeks and it makes me...worthless. I don't want to do anything. I joked with my sister once that maybe I had I tumor. She didn't think it was very funny, hence the title to this post. I guess I shouldn't joke about it either. My best friend, Billy Puckett, died from a brain tumor when we were in kindergarten. And no he was not imaginary. He was a real kid. We had a special memorial for him at our kindergarten graduation. I miss that kid. He was cool.

Since my headaches make me worthless, and right now I should be working on player bios and reading through the questionnaires that I have new players fill out every year, I decided try and answer some of the questions myself. I'll throw out the ones that actually have to do with playing a sport, since I don't and never have, and get to the good stuff.

Here goes...

Full name: Katherine Jane Walden

Name you prefer: Katie. Please, Katherine is so formal. Not that I don't like it. I love my name.

Birthdate: July 26, 1983

Father's name: Bobby Walden

Mother's name: Libby Walden

Do they live together?: Yep. For 35 years.

Hometown newspaper: The Clarion Liar...oops, I mean Ledger

High School: Forest Hill High School

Other sports played in high school: Does paper football count? No, really. "Other" would require me to have played at least one sport to start with. Not I. Dad says when I was little that I didn't like heat so he gave up on me playing anything where I would get hot. I almost played soccer my senior year when they started the girls' program but the coach and I didn't get along and it worked out well because I ended up playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, fulfilling a life-long dream.

H.S. Athletic awards and honors: Really? The closest I got was captain of the cheerleading squad.

H.S. Academic awards and honors: I actually had lots of these. I won't go into detail.

Relatives who played college athletics: Dad was a defensive lineman (tackle, I think) at Mississippi State.

Hobbies: Singing, painting, watching TV

Your most memorable sports moment: Junior year, last game of the football season, Michael Harris takes a hard hit and is paralyzed. I did a follow-up story on him in the school paper the next year. He was determined to walk again.

In 10 years I'd like to be: A) Hopefully married. B) Running my own sports ministry or at least working for one. Anyone know anyone?

My pregame ritual is: Set up.

The strangest nickname I ever had was: It's a toss-up between "Bubbaette" and "G-Money".

My earliest sports memory was: Either my first Egg Bowl or a state (I think) championship soccer game my dad coached in.

The biggest obstacle I've had to overcome is: Having confidence in myself to do the things that I want to do, even when someone tells me I can't.

My parents were right when they said: Putting your faith in God is the most important thing you will ever do in your life.

I am proudest of: This year -- My parents. They've been through a lot together this year and have never given up on each other or God. In life -- The way that I've bounced back from adversity.

My biggest frustration has been: Not having the money or resources to accomplish my ultimate goal in life.

I can't imagine going a week without: Wow. Talking to my parents, text-messaging (actually did this in Honduras and it was brutal), bathing.

I have to admit, I'm really good at: putt-putt and making up words and convincing people that they are actually legit words. That's the writer in me!

My most prized possesion: my Bible (something that has become more prized in the last couple of years) and my photos

The hardest thing I've ever done is: Give up on someone.

If I could change something about myself it would be: NO MORE TWO-DAY HEADACHES!

My worst fear is: Drowning and losing loved ones

My craziest dream is: I once had a dream that I worked at Sea World.

Person (past of present) you would most like to meet: A lot of my athletes say, "Jesus," which makes my heart smile, but since I know that I will meet him one day, I'm going to say that I would like to me Prince William because I know that he would instantly fall in love with me. Seriously. We are soulmates.

Favorite sport besides the one you play: Football

Favorite place to eat: Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, O'Charleys, PF Changs, Pepper's

Favorite food: Shrimp, Crawfish and mashed potatoes (Not exactly together).

Favorite thing to do on a day off: Sleep, lay by the pool

Favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz

Favorite singer/group: After this weekend, Dave Matthews

Favorite Holiday: I like them all. Halloween was when William was born, Thanksgiving brings lots of food and a whole weekend of football, Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birth and we get presents, Easter, we are reminded of what Christ did for us and how he lives forever in those who choose to put their faith in Him, Fourth of July is just fun.

Favorite color: MAROON....WHITE...

Favorite Cartoon Character: I'm going to have to go with the Powerpuff Girls. They are just too funny.

Favorite actor or actress: I heart Matthew McConaughey and Amanda Bynes

Favorite Song: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Favorite Book: Blue Like Jazz

Favorite Athlete: Andy Roddick and Dwayne Wade

That's it for me. I'm going to post about the Dave Matthews concert later when I can get my pictures uploaded.

Following Suit

Maybe I should – work on updating some bios. But then again, this is more fun.

I love the smell of – freshly cut grass, the beach, apple pie and barbeques

People would say that I’m – I don't know. Ask them. No. Kidding. Way too sarcastic for my own good.

I don’t understand why – lots of things happen in life but praise God that he's got it all under control.

I lost my willpower to – work today.

Life is – fleeting. People are perishing. Eternity is coming. What are we doing?

My past made me – the person I am today. Of course.

I get annoyed when I – students park where there are four signs that say "No parking at any time" and block the flow of traffic.

Parties are not a good time to – run around naked. OR maybe they are. For me? Not so much.

Dogs are – the best thing God could give humans. Besides life, of course.

Tomorrow – is another day.

I have a low tolerance for – rudeness.

I’m totally terrified of – snakes. Katie don't do snakes.

I wonder why I thought my life would be – simple. Nothing is ever simple.

I always knew I would – not have an answer for this question.

Never in my life have I – been to an NFL game.

High school was- freaking eight years ago. What the heck?!?!?

When I’m nervous – pplay with my hair.

One time at a family gathering - my mom made me sing "Happy Birthday Jesus"

Take my advice - Let the boy come to you.

Making my bed – does not happen every morning.

I’m almost always - texting.

I’m addicted to – Big Brother. I don't know what to do now that it's gone.

Brit Brit's Breakdown and 8 Things About Me

I try not to focus much on the downward-spiraling lives of the mentally insane and absolutely over-exposed celebrities but recently it seems that the media outlets, even the most respectable ones (if you can apply that adjective to any media these days), won't let me ignore the fact that there are some just plain crazy people out there.

Case in point: Britney Spears. The girl is completely insane and we are now seeing the effects of it as her kids are being passed around to different people from one day to another. However, I kind of feel sorry for Brit Brit. Since she was 11, she's been bombarded everyday (and every night for that matter) by relentless papparazzi. They never give it a break. And it seems that the worse life gets for her, the more coverage she gets. It's sickening.

I think the paps are mostly to blame for her recent breakdowns and crazy antics. Car crashes and crazy driving, public outbursts, weepy eyes in every picture. Who wouldn't be subject to this kind of behavior when there are 20 or more flash bulbs going off in your face? I sure as heck wouldn't be able to keep my cool for very long if I had people in my face 24/7. No wonder some people go off the deep end. I'd bet running over people's toes and maybe even running over people because I wouldn't be able to see where I was going for all the lights.

I hate to be channeling the YouTube guy but leave the girl alone people! You're the reason she's going crazy. She craves the attention and you are enabling her addictions. Let her be and maybe she'll having nothing better to do than check herself into rehab, for good.

Anyway, on a lighter note, figured I'd do this "Things About Me" thing that's been going around. My favorite numbers are really 74 and 46 but I think I'll just stick with my single-digit fav....8.

So here goes...8 Things you may or may not know about Katie:

1. When I was four, I almost die from chicken pox. Yes, it's true. I was in the hospital for a week...chicken pox outside of the body and inside...down the throat, in ears and everywhere you could think. The day I checked out, the doctors looked at me and said, "Well, Miss Katie, we almost lost you." However, my dad had just entered the room and heard what they said, he didn't like it.

2. I like to categorize things. Call it OCD, I call organized. I categorize everything, by color, size, year, alphabetically, etc.

3. My right index finger is shorter than my left.

4. I have a slight obsession with duffle bags...and now scarves.

5. I am very bothered when something stumps me. I research and use trial and error until I get it right.

6. I'm quite the technological guru.

7. Painting is cathartic for me.

8. I've climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triumph (or however you spell it).

Presidental Candidates and Year In Review

We had two presidential candidates in Birmingham over the weekend. I can't remember a time when I've been in the same town as a presidential candidate. Well, except for that one time when I was little and George Bush Sr. came to Jackson. I actually went to that one. Not by choice...I was five...I think.

Anyway, Mike Huckabee was here on Saturday. He actually spoke on campus at Samford but I didn't get to go because in true Samford fashion, the Samford scheduling committee or whatever they are called scheduled it at the same time as a basketball game like they do everything else. I wish I could have gone to hear him speak. He's definitely my pick right now to be president. I agree with just about everything he says and he's a man of God. Good stuff.

Barack Obama was here too. He spoke Sunday at UAB, which I'm convinced is the Berkeley of the south. There are way too many protesters and just down right weird people that go there. Plus, they let Walter Sharpe play on their basketball team. I hope he makes it on time for the bus for them. Anyway, I listened to a bit of his speech on Sunday afternoon, which was televised. He made some good points and even dispelled a rumor about him being Muslim. He said that he had respect for the Muslim faith and those who practice it but that he has been going to the same Baptist church in downtown Chicago for 20 years. However, I've heard his little church is mega-anti-white people. But I guess that's how it goes sometimes. Then he started playing the race card and became an oppressed southern black man for the rest of the speech, saying "it's not a black-white issue (which was very contradictory to his tone) but it is a past-future issue. Whatever. He even started giving a "let freedom ringish" speech. Something, I'm sure he didn't do in Iowa or New Hampshire. Sorry Barack, you don't get my vote. I don't vote for actors.

On a different note, I saw this little year-in-review quiz on Claire's blog and thought I'd do it myself.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Went to Honduras on a mission trip. The best time of my life. (See sweet picture below of me and Julio. He taught me so much.)

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I figure why use a new year for motivation. If I can't do it during the year, what's the point?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Definitely. My sister had sweet William, and my cousins Amy and Cindy had girls.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My papaw.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just Honduras. However, I did visit Miami for a few hours and that's a whole country in itself.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money and a real job...NO MORE INTERNSHIPS!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmm...probably getting over someone...it was pretty hard...and making new friends. I suck at that.

9. What was your biggest failure?
That's hard. I don't focus much on the failures so I don't remember them all that well.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Besides, a week of back spasms and the every present two-day headache every month...nope...nothing.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I haven't really bought anything of significance in the last year.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hahah...maybe Firesheets. He actually grew up a little bit. He was as rude or annoying as he was when I first meet him.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Jason's.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, food and gas.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My sister having a baby, Honduras, Ben Harper concert

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Hmmm...maybe Switchfoot's 24

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?

Happier, fatter, poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Praying

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Whining and wasting time on boys

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent 12 days in Madison with the fam, except for the two days I was at the Liberty Bowl.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes. With with my sweet nephew. And a little bit more in love with Jack Bauer. Oh, and Julio.

23. How many one-night stands?
Yeah. Um. No.

24. What was your favorite TV show?
24, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, and last but not least...Chuck

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nope

26. What was the best book you read?
Searching for God Knows What

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

James Morrison, Matt Wertz, Sara Barielles, Natalie Grant

28. What did you want and get?
A fantastic church with great friends

29. What did you want and not get?
The man of my dreams

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Kingdom

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 and I went to dinner with friends from church and work.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Money to go to South Africa...and a full-time job.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I've been pretty fashionable this year. Surprising, I know.

34. What kept you sane?

God's grace, my daddy and Bethany

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Channing Tatum

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I really don't know.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
That's hard. I guess Leslie.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Just because you pray for it, doesn't mean it's going to come right away. God's going to give you what's best for you and his timing is perfect. PERFECT.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Hmmm...can I do a whole song?

"24" by Switchfoot

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies

Twenty four failures

Twenty four tries

Twenty four finds me

In twenty-fourth place

Twenty four drop outs

At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was

Twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

And I'm not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong

With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out

When You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man

Oh, oh I am the second man now

Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices

With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies

In twenty four parts

But I want to be one today

Centered and true

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

You're raising the dead in me

Oh, oh I am the second man

Oh, oh I am the second man now

Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change

Wrestled the angel, for more than a name

For more than a feeling

For more than a cause

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

And You're raising the dead in me

Twenty four voices

With twenty four hearts

With all of my symphonies

In twenty four parts.

I'm not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.

For once, someone interviews me!

So Amanda Boo Cantrell's friend interviewed her last week on her blog and she opened up the invitation to interview others. I, of course, said, "Pick me! Pick me!", because I'm so diligent at work that I often run out of things to do by late afternoon. So here goes:

1. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? (And I am talking the 200 Crayola pack)
Wow...I'm going to have to research this. I think I'd want to be a cool color. One that has a neat name and makes people excited to use it because it's fun and interesting. I don't want to be one that is used all the time because I wouldn't want to be taken for granted. So...I'm thinking sunset orange. The traits for this hue are warm, sociable, good-natured, jovial, and glowing. Sounds like me. I think.

2. If you could change your name, what would it be?
Hmm...I really like my name so I don't know. I've always liked double names so I could deal with "Katie Jane" (which some people call me) or something like that. I also like the name Sophie.

3. What was the last really good book you read?
Oh wow! I'm in the middle of a book called "To Live Is Christ." It's about the life of Paul and it's really good. But I think maybe Blue Like Jazz was the last book that I just couldn't put down.

4. What is your favorite "technology" that has been invented in the last 10 years?
I was about to say the internet but it's been around for longer than ten years if we are speaking technically. I guess I would say the iPod. It's just great to have something so small that you can store so much information on. I hate Macintosh computers but I love so Apple technology.

5. If you could live in any time period other than now, which would you pick?
This is a very interesting question. I've thought about this many times and I change my answer every time. But right now I would have to say probably the 50's. It just looks fun on television.

If you want me to interview you, just let me know.