When Fall Arrives....

For some reason, when ever fall arrives, I find myself getting a little homesick and missing KY. I can't help it or explain it. This time of year always finds me thinking back and wanting to go "home".

I'm not really sure what it is. Perhaps is that I miss the changing of the leaves. I remember every year when fall would come, my dad would rake and blow the leaves in the back yard and my sister, Kellie and I would run in the back yard and jump around in them. Maybe it's because I can't go to an apple orchard. A tradition of many in my hometown of Paducah, KY, was going to Schmidt's Farm, picking apples from the tree, taking a hay ride, and playing in hay stacks. And chances are it could be that some of my fondest memories of childhood are the annual Fall Festival at my school, Morgan Elementary. It always seemed as if it would fall on a night with the crisp autumn air was at its best. Or it could be because fall marks the beginning of college basketball season and I miss how excited we would get as the Cats began the road to the Final Four.

I guess there is a lot of truth to the saying that you don't know what you got until it's gone. I'm sure that I didn't always want to go to the apple orchard, that I thought the fall festival was uncool, and I would complain that that my dad was hogging the TV when the Cats played. I guess then, I didn't know that there would come a day when I would long for those moments.

Recently, someone questioned me as to why I love Kentucky basketball so much if I don't live there (as if to say that you must have a permanent residence somewhere to be a fan of their team). My response was simple. I politely looked at them and said, "If you left Louisiana, would you suddenly forget the things that made Louisiana special in your heart?" I think the understood after that.

Although I'm far away now and I truly believe that there is a reason as to why faith has taken me on the journey that it has. However, there will always be a piece of my heart that finds itself in the Bluegrass State.

The Evolution of a Blog=The Evolution of Me

As far back as I can remember, I've always enjoyed writing. I find it a stress free way to share my thoughts and feelings with myself and with the world when I choose to do so. I write all the time (more than most people realize it). If I ever kick the bucket early, chances are I'll be like Anne Frank in the sense that people will find my journals all over the place (for some reason I don't keep just one. I have tons of notebooks, pads, and journals that I have written in over the years).

When I first set out with this blog about a year ago, it's only purpose was to document my 29th year. However, it has evolved into much more than that. It has become my link to the rest of the world to share my thoughts, feelings, memories, hopes, and dreams. In writing and keeping up with this blog, I've feel like I have reinvented myself. I have found out more of who I am, who I was, and who it is I want to be. However, I am no where near done evolving. I believe that there is always room for change and room for improvement.

A year ago, I was literally terrified of turning 30. It scared the Hell out of me. For some reason, I had this notion that your 20s were the time in your life when it was OK to be silly and live for the day and that when I hit 30 I was going to be old and have to give up "childish" things. However, blogging has helped me to reflect on the past, present, and future. And in doing so, I have realized that turning 30 is just another bump in the road and there is a lot more living left to do. Although I've done a lot and lived to tell about it, I plan on doing much more. I'm no longer going to worry about what I perceive as the social norms of what I should be doing at this stage in my life. Rather, I'm going to live in the moment and cherish each day.

The other day I was thinking if I would have to change the name of my blog after my birthday. And after thinking, I realized that if it were not for "Katie's 20s Farewell Tour" I might not be as ready to turn 30. I will keep the title, keep up with it, and watch it evolve alongside me!

NCAA Tournament

NOLA 2010

GO BIG BLUE!!!

20s: The Dry Run Decade

I've spent the last year of my 20s living off of fear and faith. Fear that I'm getting old and may not do all the things that I want to and the faith that everything falls into place when it's time. Recently, while out in Dallas, I had a conversation about turning 30 with someone who was about to turn 40. And as I expressed to them my fears about entering a new decade, they gave me some pretty practical and good advice. Your 20s is pretty much a dry run for the rest of you life. Although it seemed a bit strange at the time, the more I thought about it, the more sense it made to me.

For me, my 20s was my first shot at being a real live, bill paying, 9-5 working adult. It's the first experience in being 100% self sufficient. I had to do my own laundry, get the oil in my car changed, pay bills on time, and along the way I made some mistakes and learned many lessons. It's almost like my 20s have been a dress rehearsal for the rest of my life. I've learned how important it is to save money, live on a budget, and have something tucked away for those unexpected expenses. I've also learned that if you let the laundry pile up for too long, you wake up with nothing decent to wear to work.

So, although I've been rather fearful of hitting this new decade, I'm slowly coming to grips with it. Although I'm sure that it will teach me many more life lessons, I also have the life experiences to go with it this time. So, if your out there listening 30: BRING IT ON! I'M PREPARED!

LaFonda's

2008

Nothing But the Road and the Radio

People often ask me how I can get in the car and drive alone (which I don't get. It's the 21st Century, girls can do that sort of thing now). I know that for many people that getting in the car, fighting traffic, and navigating for hours can be so tedious, but for me, it's complete and total relaxation.

We all have different ways of dealing with the stresses in our lives. Some of us run, some of us drink (ok, we all know I'm lying if I say I don't do that), some of us take a walk, but me, I prefer being behind the wheel of my car with nothing but the road and the radio (with a mix of junk food, Starbucks, and diet cokes). I have a very diverse mix on my iPod; country, 80s rock, 2 Live Crew, and everything in between. And when I'm behind that wheel rocking out, the stresses in my life seem to disappear momentarily and reflections of the past, present, and future run through my mind.

For me, a road trip provides me with an overwhelming sensation of excitement and relaxation. I'm excited because I'm heading to some place fun and possibly new to see a great friend and/or wonderful family member. And I'm relaxed because while in that car looking at the road ahead, my mind is at ease and I achieve a sense of peace. A sense of satisfaction because I have nothing to do for the time being except to enjoy the road and the radio. And I get to do it all while being a first hand witness to our beautiful country.

Guest Post from Senior Chief Petty Officer and Author: John Quinn

Recently, I was surfing the web for children's books that have characters with children of various ability levels for my classroom. The reason behind this is because I believe that being exposed to various abilities, is just as important as being exposed to various races, ethnicities, and cultures. However, as I was searching, I came across author John Quinn, who wrote the memoir: Someone Like Me, An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph over Cerebral Palsy. It is written in his own words and tells his story of over coming Cerebral Palsy and becoming a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy; the second highest rank for an enlisted person in the Navy.

As a special educator, I was very inspired by his story. Because one thing that I try to instill in my students early on, is that their disability is not a limitation on their life. Instead, I try to help them discover what their ABILITY is.

Mr. Quinn was gracious enough to be a guest blogger on my sight today to share with all of us his take on the word disability. I also invite all of you to read his book and check him out at: www.johnquinn.com

Pushing Yourself to Find Your Ability

The word disability really bothers me. Look at the word again. I am not an English major, but I know that the prefix “dis” means the absence of. So the word disability means the absence of ability. If that’s the case, then yes, I have a disability. I cannot do fractions. In fact, when it comes to anything having to do with math, I struggle mightily. When it comes to home improvements or car repairs, I don’t know which end of the screwdriver to hold. Another disability.

But there are many areas of my life in which I am very capable. Some big, others small. Everyone has some ability to offer this world. You just have to find it. It might be hidden deep down inside you, just yearning to come out. For my disabled friends, don’t let your handicap hold you back. Don’t listen to the people that tell you it cannot be done. My parents told me that I could do anything that I put my mind to and I believe that to be true for anyone, regardless of obstacles faced. If you don’t push yourself to find your ability, who will? Franklin Delano Roosevelt suffered with polio and became President of the United States. Albert Einstein didn’t talk until the age of three and was severely dyslexic. The English author/poet Milton lost his sight at the age of 43 and then wrote the classic tale Paradise Lost. How about Bonnie St. John who won silver and two bronze medals in the 1984 Paralympic Games as a ski racer; graduated with honors from Harvard University won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. Did I fail to mention that Bonnie has one leg? What would the world be like if these people had given up? Can you imagine FDR saying, “I can’t do it, it’s too hard.”

Have you always wanted to paint but thought it was a waste of time? Perhaps you've felt a strong desire to get up on stage in your community theater but were ridiculed when you shared your dream out loud? I have been laughed at. Most people thought it was nuts for a guy with cerebral palsy to even dream of joining the Navy. Mocking turned to cheers 20 years later when I retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. When I decided I wanted to write my memoir, some scoffed. “You’ve never written anything before. “What makes you think you can write a book?” Well, Someone Like Me, An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph over Cerebral Palsy was published this past April. It appears that I have the ability to put my thoughts down on paper is such a way that others enjoy reading them.

You might not become President of the United States, discover new math theories, or write an epic novel. But then again, you might. So I ask you. What’s your ability?

My Bucket List

With 30 looming on the horizon, it has really made me look at my own mortality. It's not that I think that I'm going to shrivel up and die once I hit the Big 3-0. It's just that it makes me realize how precious our time here on Earth is. After all, these 30 years have flown by faster than I would have ever imagined. It seems like only yesterday my PaPaw was walking me home from kindergarten. And here I am.

I have also realized that there are so many things out there that I want to see and do before I die. And if I don't write them down make the list immortal in cyberspace, I may never do them all. So here it is: Katie's Bucket List

1. Go skydiving. I can't really explain it. It is just something that I have always wanted to do; free falling through the sky and landing in nature. I can't think of anything more exhilarating and peaceful all at the same time.

2. Visit Australia. As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to go to this country. I am fascinated by all it has to offer. It has such a vast array of people that extend from city goers to Aborigines.

3. Take a road trip to no where. Half the fun of traveling is getting there. Well, I say double your fun and make the whole trip about getting there! I just want to get in the car with nothing but a fun friend, good tunes, and my GPS and set out to NO WHERE! I think it's a wonderful way to experience life, culture, and our wonderful country!

4. Learn to scuba dive. Ever since my dad rented me Free Willy to watch on a snow day when school was canceled, I have been fascinated with marine life. I would love to one day be at one with them. Experience their world.

5. Visit NYC with my mom. My mom and I have both visited NYC on separate occasions and both have a love affair with the city. However, we have not been there together. We talk about it all the time, and one day, it will happen! I envision us going to the statue of liberty and visiting Ellis Island and walking through the same gates her great-grandfather came through when he came over from Ireland. I can't wait to see a Broadway show with her and eat a gourmet cupcake in Times Square. Hell, we might even dance the night away in Harlem!

6. Have Something Published. I have always had a passion for writing. It has something that I have enjoyed since I was a kid. Not sure why. I have always found at as a means of relieving stress and worries from my head. And although having your mother and friends tell you you have a knack for writing, nothing would make me prouder than to have something I created, published, for the world to see. And nothing would mean more to me than to have people, who have nothing invested into my life, to pick it up and enjoy what I have to write about.

7. Visit Every State in the United States. Although I have been to many different states, I want to see them all before I leave this world. I truly believe that we live in the greatest country on the planet. And I want to see every wonderful and different people, place, thing, food, and fun that it has to offer.

8. Go On A Game Show. I feel like I've already been cheated out of this one. When I was in college I tried out for college week on "Wheel of Fortune" and I made it all the way to the final and didn't get picked. But I WILL redeem this one day. I have a few games shows I would like to go on, but other than that I'm not picky about which one. However, I would prefer Wheel (if they'll have me this time), Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal, or Press Your Luck (if it ever comes back on!).

Skyline Chili

Cincinnati

2008

My Word: SPONTANEITY

My last blog was about the wonderful book/movie Eat, Pray, Love. For those of you who haven't read the book and/or seen the movie, one thing she does while on her journey is to find her word. The word the defines how she lives her life. And THAT is what I'm going to share with you today.

I had to think long and hard to find the word the defines how I live my life. I mean, there are many words that can define who I am. Sister, daughter, friend, teacher, writer, smartass. But I wanted the word that defines how I will live my life. That word is: SPONTANEITY. Which is the act of being spontaneous.

Although I believe that there is a certain amount of planning and organization that is necessary in order to carry on day to day, I love setting out with no plans and having the time of my life. The best memories of my life are from days, nights, and in the wee hours of the morning when I had absolutely no plans. I could go on for hours with the things I've done out of spontaneity, but I'll just give you a brief run down. There was Spring Break '99 when me and a life long friend of mine had a very adventurous night in Key West that involved a beach and a Navy base. Probably not one of the wisest choices that we ever made, but surely one of my fondest memories of high school. Then was when I got my tattoo. I was walking down Canal St. in NOLA with my girl Andrea and decided I wanted one (I had always wanted one, but was scared my mom would be mad at me!). So we stopped, and I did it. Got a shamrock on my back. And to this day, I don't regret it and don't think I ever will. I can't wait 'til my own children ask about it one day and I tell them about getting it. And how their grandmother didn't like it when she found out and still doesn't like it! Then there was the day I met Bill Clinton. I remember it was a Friday, because that year I didn't have students on Fridays. I read in the paper that Bill Clinton was going to be making a campaign stop for Hillary. Since I had always been fond of the Clintons, I wasn't going to miss this for the world! So I took a half day off, got there first, and shook hands with #42. When I told him I was a teacher, he thanked me for being a teacher. Words that echo through my head every time I have a bad day and feel defeated at work. Then there was the infamous 2 Live Crew Concert. I had gone out for sushi and drinks with some girls from work, and ended up sneaking into the show and danced to nasty music all night long. There are many other moments of spontaneity in my past. Many random road trips to NOLA and ending up in the only hotel in America with no phone book and a number to a cab that was disconnected. Going out for a quiet evening and partying 'til the sun comes up with complete strangers. There is even the time I found out my Cats were playing in the tourney in NOLA and minutes later I had tickets in my hand.

I love living life without a plan. It adds variety to what would be an otherwise mundane existence. I think there is a lot of truth to the saying "The best laid plans fall flat". Because the best memories of my life, were not planned out at all. I would like to say that I wish I knew what the rest of my life had in store, but that would that the spontaneity out of the whole thing.....

Katie & Jen

Leesville Toga Party

Circa 2007