San Diego

San Diego

You have given me so much.
Happiness
Adventure
Love
Challenges
Exploration
Fun
Life

But sometimes... I miss when you were my escape.

Better Late than Never

Some of you might remember this post or the list of 25 things I wanted to do in my 25th year.
Well, to say I didn't finish my list would be an understatement.
Once I moved I didn't give that list a second thought.
There were times when it came to mind
But there definitely wasn't an effort to make them happen

I love to make lists
I love to cross items off my list
but I am also out of sight out of mind.
This list was just not in my sight so it wasn't in my mind.

I started thinking awhile ago I wanted to update the list a bit
I am going to change a few of these and add another for my 26th year
Maybe even cross a few off the list that I did but never "crossed" it off.

1. Read at least 12 books
a. Pride and Prejudice, must be one of those
2. Move to San Diego
3. Say yes more
4. Go on a date. by myself
5. Invest in a hobby-- bought a year membership to an outdoor boot camp
6. Go to a NFL game (Wasn't NFL but it was the OSU Homecoming game, which is even better!)
7. Run a 5k-- Did the Color Run, but didn't actually run it.  So I will keep this up
8. Watch "Gone with the Wind"
9. Join a small group/book club
10. Go salsa dancing
11. Take a day off to go on an adventure
12. Cook dinner for a friend and take it to them
13. Visit a friend in a different city/state
14. Try 'The Bar Method' work out
15. Throw a themed dinner party
16. Visit the Monterey Aquarium
17. Write a letter to my former self
18. Make bread from scratch
19. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
20. Make new friends
21. Create a new tradition
22. Go paddle boarding
23. Try Bikram yoga or Hot yoga
24. Come up with a personal motto-- "Do something today your future self will thank you for"
25. Learn how to sew-- made pillow cases at the cabin at Thanksgiving
26. Learn how to golf

There we have it folks.
Maybe this year I will actually cross these items off the list.

Cobwebs

If the internet could have cobwebs, this little place of mine would be full of them.
This teeny, tiny, little space, that I can call mine has been neglected this last year.
Maybe it's because I am more prone to write when my heart is heavy.
Or because there has been so much adventure.
I couldn't give it justice with my words.
I guess tonight is a mixture of both.

All I know is, it is almost midnight.
I can't sleep.
The glow of my Christmas tree is the only thing bright during the dark night.
And still nothing seems to come out the way I want it too.

So, as I try to brush away some of the cobwebs here
Let's get a recap of 2012, shall we... 

It has been a full year since I moved to San Diego.
It is everything I hoped it would be.
And I am praying it continues to surprise me.

I have a wonderful job.
I know the Lord had everything to do with placing me there.
The environment I work in is full of encouragement, support and love.
It is a great place to be a part of.
The Lord knew I needed it, and I think it needed me too.

I met a wonderful man only a few short weeks after being here. 
He stole my heart the day I met him.
I haven't bothered trying to get it back yet. 
It has been a roller coaster adventure ever since.
Our story is one for the ages.
There is no doubt our paths crossed for a reason.

Life seemed to fall together once I got here.
It is amazing what risk, adventure and life all have in common.
For me, it is a dream. A longing for something more.

This last year I think I have been learning a lot about myself.
It has been lonely at times.
A little harder to make friends (outside of work) than I thought it would be.
But as this new year is chugging full speed ahead
The itch to make lists, promises, resolution begins to burn
I will take all the things I have learned this year
And only make me better.

Hopefully there will be a lot more adventure, friends, love and happiness in all our days.
And a lot less cobwebs in this little place.

xo

Making It Happen

I did it!
I am finally here.
After years of dreaming about it
Months talking about it
Miles to get here
I am.

I am finally living one of my dreams
This is my new town

It has been really hard for me to put any of my thoughts into words these last few days 

I was anxious, scared, excited, happy, adventurous, nervous, proud, sad all in one jumbled mess 

This is going to be good. 

I may take some wrong turns, but each one is a new opportunity 

I will make new friends, a new life while still holding on to the experiences and people who have gotten me where I am 

I have a new perspective, awareness and spark

I am really excited where this decision is going to lead 

This could be a just a pit stop in my journey 

Who knows how long I will be here before moving on 

But I am going to take it all in and enjoy every second of it! 

I am a San Diegan now

9.10.11

Random Fact: I say I hate math and numbers, but really I don't. Just hasn't always been my specialty. But I love consecutive numbers, and this year my birthday is 9.10.11! How cool is that for the math nerd inside of me! 

Well we all know I love lists.
I have made inspiration lists, adventure lists this last year
This one kind of is the same thing
It is 25 things I want to do when I am 25...

I wanted to make them challenging, but realistic.
Financially possible, but outside my box.
Stimulating, but adventurous and meaningful.
I wanted to make them me, but help develop my passions, likes and desires.

Here are 25 things to do and see when I am 25...
If there is something you'd like to help me with, I would love to have you along for the adventure

1. Read at least 12 books- one a month
   a.   Pride and Prejudice, must be one of those.
2. Move to San Diego
3. Volunteer at a hospital
4. Go on a date. by myself.
5. Invest in a hobby
6. Go to a NFL game
7. Run a 5k.
8. Watch “Gone with the Wind”
9.  Join a small group/book club
10.  Go salsa dancing
11.  Take a day off to go on an adventure
12.  Watch every season of HIMYM 
13.  Visit a friend in a different city/or state
14.  Try ‘The Bar Method’ work out
15.  Throw a themed dinner party
16.  Visit the Monterey Aquarium
17.  Write a letter to my former self
18.  Make bread from scratch
19.  Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
20.  Write a business plan for a business idea
21.  Create a new tradition
22.  Learn how to shoot a gun
23.  Try Bikram or Hot Yoga
24.  Come up with a personal Motto
25.  Learn how to sew. 

I am going to put it up on the side of my blog so there are always visible and a constant reminder! I hope to tell you about each of them that I accomplish!
Would you want to make a list of things you'd like to do this year? What types of adventures do you want to cross off your list?

Tweet Tweet



Credit

 Who has two thumbs,
and just joined Twitter...

This girl!

Still trying to figure it all out.
I was given a suggestion that Twitter can be a really useful "active resource"
in my job search
dreaming
acquiring more knowledge in all different areas
taking over the world... I mean...

Let's see if I have anything interesting to say!

My: Inspiration, To Do, Try New Things, List just to have a list: List

Credit:Credit

This list is something I made awhile ago. I love lists. I make lists to make lists. These are all different kinds of things. Some of them I might not cross off, but I want to try to always be a better version of myself. I want to continually learn from others. I want to try new things. And sometimes you need some encouragement along the way. 

• Find blogs, magazines, books that inspire my creativity- write about it, journal, make me time 
• DIY: make distressed picture frames for a wall piece behind my bed (I have all the frames and paint, just waiting for a free weekend to start my adventure!)
• go antique & vintage scavenging 
• travel to a new city : Baker City, OR 
• DIY: go take pictures of objects around a city, make a collage of pictures that spell out a word
• apply to at least 20 jobs a month until I move to San Diego 
• read books, magazines, blogs on topics that interest me :
• Love, Marketing, God, Friendship, Fashion, Food, Makeup, Writing, Living Life, Traveling, Dreams, Blogging 
• Look into what a "Life Coach" is 
• Never Settle. Believe in yourself 
• Encourage others 
• Email at least one blogger who inspires me and be their friend 
• Find a mentor  (I was lucky to find a mentor on the internet through a blog I read!)
• "Be a Friend to have a Friend"
• Volunteer 
• send out cards- weekly to friends 
• Discover and explore things I am passionate about 
• Breast cancer research, loving others... 
• spend more time with kids (to be more patient and creative) 
• Continue to be creative. Use my imagination. 
• Be Spontaneous
• Try something new 
• Do not plane for two weeks 
• Take a staycation for a weekend - Talking Stick Resort with the Girls for Jenna's grad school celebration 
• Start a new blog- find a focus for something that will help people 
• Don't be my worst enemy or critic 
• Believe in yourself! 
• Love myself. and others. 
• Visit Seattle 
• Write More <3
• Find a mantra 
• "Find your purpose and fling your life out to it. Find a way or make one. Try with all your might. Self-made or never made." Oliver Swett Marden : I'm loving this one right now.
• Make a paiting for my apartment 
• Color outside the box- Don't limit myself with boundaries
• Do a DIY project for less than $10
• Make myself at least one throw pillow 
• Learn how to sew 
• Learn graphic design basics 
• Try not to follow a routine 
• Decorate with simple things 
• Have an old movie marathon:
• Casa Blanca 
• Gone with the wind 
• Breakfast at Tiffanys, etc... 
• Find a friend to help do things on the list 
• Help a friend create their own list (Nicole, I know you love lists!)
• Go thrifting more often 
• Create a new tradition 
• Practice Yoga 
• Discover a way to be less stressed 
• Send a friend a card with my favorite memory of "us" in it 
• Make my own cards 
• Do a grocery trip and save more than I spend (raspberries and blackberries were on sale, saved 15.04, spend 8.31!)
• Create something which makes people feel good 
• Be open minded 
• Be happy to help 
• Get a lot of sleep 
• Do career interviews 
• Marketer
• Life Coach 
• Enterprenauer 
• Buy "Love & Sequins"- How to be a love letter to the world 
• Stop Talking. Start Doing. 
• Host a party, make it really pretty and yummy 
• Be an observer 
• Slow. Down. 
• Breathe. Be Patient 
• Make a difference. be ok when it doesn't happen right away 
• Dream Big. No idea is too small 
• Don't set unachievable goals with unrealistic deadlines- All in Good Time 
• Move to San Diego: ETA October 
• No Limits
• Find a friend to be creative with (Carley Maier, Priscilla Sanchez, Amanda McMillan... I'm talking to you!) 
• Forge my own path
• "Know who you are, to be who you are."
• "If Nothing changes, nothing changes."

Well, I guess its time for me to get to work!

Its not true until you put it on facebook...

I guess if I am really going to do this, I need to say it out loud.

I AM MOVING TO SAN DIEGO! 
 I already put it on facebook, but this is the next step... 
Yup, you read that right. I am making it happen, finally. 
I don't have everything figured out,
but I know it will all fall into place.
I trust that the Lord will provide in the journey
He will place people, opportunities, communities and direction.

I am really excited for this new adventure
though, there are a ton of things that could keep me from going
I need to do this.

It could be a stepping stone
maybe even a short term adventure
Whatever it is, I hope you follow me along the way.

xo

Breathe In. Breathe Out.

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
You know what you need to do.
You don't know how to know, but you know...

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
You have made it this far
Too far forward to ever go back.
Too far to turn around and run back to where you were.

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
You can do this.
You are strong enough to do this for YOU.

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
It isn't going to hurt like it did before.
It is just one step forward for the best possible you...

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
You will look back on this day
You will look back and know that this was a day you chose YOU...
You will look back at this milestone
and You will know you did the best you could.

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
You are worth it.
You deserve all the happiness, love, support, encouragement in the world
This is about YOU, and that is ok

Breathe In.
Breathe Out.
One step forward, and another
Don't look back.
Keep your eyes forward, keep your focus straight
You are doing this for you...


Breathe In.
Breathe Out. 

Never too much to ask...

 

 I couldn't have said it better... 

"I am looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous. Inconvenient. Consuming. Can't live without each other LOVE."- Carrie Bradshaw 

I am not saying that I expect it to come right away...

It will take time, and I am more than ok with that 

I just know that I am ready to start that journey again

But, I think this is the kind of love that everyone desires.

The kind of love that everyone deserves 

The kind of love that I want to give someone...

Happy Birthday Miss Lil!

My niece was born today. The adventure is about to begin. I can not imagine life without her here!

Lily's Mimi and Poppa <3

It is an amazing feeling. I had no idea your heart could explode from love.
That you could be so filled with joy, love, hope, fear, excitement, worry with one sight of that little bundle of perfection.

She is perfect. absolutely. not denying it. perfection.

The love I have for her is undeniable. strong. pure. big. true. unconditional. LOVE.

God, thank you for this precious gift in my life. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to love someone this special. Thank you for putting Lily in our lives, but especially my life. The hole that I had in my heart, was instantly filled with the love I carry for her. I love this little one more than life itself already... 

Sedona

I am so blessed by the friendships I have
I have a core group of girlfriends that I am beyond grateful for
They have my back, through it all, some are newer friendships, others have blossomed through college, one has even come back in my life from when we were kids.
I have the most amazing group of girls, and God truly put them in my life when I needed them most.

This weekend, though short, we were able to escape from the city, go up to the beautiful Red Rock country of Sedona, and just spend quality time together.
These memories we are making are ones I will hold on too for life.

Marisa and I, had to make a quick trip back down to the Valley this morning because my precious niece has decided she wants to come out and party with us!

My sister is in labor! ahhhhh so excited!

As I sit here and wait to get the call to go to the hospital, I am going to post some pictures of Sedona, reflect on life, and just be thankful for everything that I have going on.

Love to love you all... xoxo

My Loves

Truly surrounded by some of God's best creations

With my girls at top of Schnebly Hill Vista in Sedona 

Thanks for all the wonderful memories girls

Where I am vs. Where I was

I was going back and re-reading some of my blogs since April
I have been through a whirlwind of so many different emotions
and it is so apparent through this blog.
I have been stretch in really uncomfortable ways these last 16 weeks

But I am so grateful to have it all documented. Even if no one reads this, I can go back and see where I am
In a year, I can look at April 25th see where I was then

I promise, I will be in a better spot. It might not be the best spot, but it will be a better spot than I was in.

I am growing
I am learning
I am taking a leap of faith this next year.

Where will I be?

Thanks for the Memories Summer

Wow! I can not believe summer is over
So much has changed in the last four months
I had my heart broken
I graduated college
I had to figure out my new normal
I moved out of my apartment
My best friend got married
but, I am still here and standing!

One of my summertime goals was to document all my adventures!
So I bought myself a new camera and I got busy!
I thought I would share some of those adventures on here!

First, Graduation:

I graduated from ASU! So excited for the next steps in my career, and seeing what opportunities will come in my life because of my education!

Amanda surprised me for my graduation:

This girl is an amazing, amazing friend. could not ask for more or better.


Spending time with new friends:

These girls have been the best friends a girl could ask for!


Always having a great time!

Steph comes to visit:

BBQ with the girls and stephanie got to be there!


<3

This is when it started to get real crazy!
Vegas Baby: June 25-27

Single Ladies up in the front please!


What an example of true love. and what it takes to have a forever love. one day mine will come! until then, I am praying for you future love :)

San Diego: July 1-6

Mandatory Miguel's trip with my San Diego family!


Mmmmm... Extraordinary Desserts with Sister!

San Jose: July 9-12

Bridal Shower Time!

Jeff's Going away party and Friend Time on my only free weekend: July 16-18th

Megan and I at Jeff's going away party!


See thats Jeff, at his going away party!


Skelly and I!

Ooooooklahoma: July 20-26

Baby cousin and I!


Lots of Love and Sisters! Sis' baby shower in Oklahoma!

New Apartment: August 6

My new Home!

Finally, San Jose for the Wedding: August 11-22

At Frannie's in Los Gatos!


Breakfast with the girls!


Rehearsal Dinner!


Last Night as a Sanchez!


Summer, thank you for all the new memories! I really appreciate it. more than you know!

M.I.A.

For those of you who just can't wait for my updates (Hi Mom!) I am sorry I didn't update for awhile! I was M.I.A. for my best friend's wedding.

What an experience it was! I can not even describe it! It all happened so quickly but the memories I hold I will forever cherish.

Priscilla is a very special person to me. God truly placed us in each others lives in a way that could have been nearly impossible unless everything lined up. Its hard to describe unless you actually experienced it but we met a Hume Lake Christian Camps. Its a beautiful camp up in the mountains of California. if you would have told me I was going to one day be standing next to her at her wedding, I probably would have laughed at you. But God does amazing things, and I am truly blessed by her!

Here are a few of the pictures from my trip:


Priscilla and I!


Girls heading to San Fran for Bachelorette Weekend!


Painting the Town Wild in Animal print!



My Italian Dance Partner!


Girls at the rehearsal!


The best man, Groom, Bride and Maid of Honor


All the pretty girls!


Dancing the night away!

This was my Maid of Honor Speech:
Hello Everyone!

First off I want to say thank you to my best friend, the beautiful bride Priscilla! It has been such a privilege to be your Maid of Honor and to be a part of this chapter of yours and James lives.

Before I take us all down memory lane, I should probably give you a little background. My name is Katelynn Klingaman and I met Miss Priscilla 7 years ago at Hume Lake Christian Camp. God had big plans for us then, we just didn’t know it. To be honest, I don’t even know how it happened. I am an arizona native, she is a cali girl through and through. We ended up being on the same rec team, and it so happened that we were both the loudest, most spirited and obnoxious girls on our team, and probably the whole camp. Somehow in a matters of days, we were sharing in laughter, tears, our dreams and fears. It felt like we had known each other for years, and we had been best friends for a lifetime. Throughout the next year we continued to build our friendship even with all the miles that kept us apart.

The following year at camp was when God planted a seed that would intertwine two peoples lives forever. We planned it in a way that she would stay as a camper with my church, but she had to drive up with a different church from San Jose, which ended up being a church with a smokin’ hot leader named James. When we reunited at Hume it didn’t feel like any time had passed at all. We hadn’t lost any of our spunk, and some how we were louder, even more spirited and more obnoxious than the year before. But this year was different, James happened to be a leader for our Rec team. We were seventeen year old girls, so of course we noticed him, and how could he have not noticed an extremely loud duo wrapped in tin foil! This was just the subtle start. The years to follow both James and Priscilla would go through life lessons, and were growing as individuals, and praying for their future spouse.

Since Priscilla and I have never lived in the same city, not even the same state we always found ways to see each other. We created tons of memories in the short amount of time spent together, but there is one memory that sticks out most to me. One late night I get a phone call from Priscilla. She had just gone and hung out with James, our leader from Hume! I could see her beaming even miles away. I knew right then that this was going to be a huge part of her story, and his. God had blessed them for their patience, and this new relationship was a product from the seed God had planted that year at Hume.

We all have watched James and Priscilla grow into the couple they are today. The love, support, commitment that they confirmed today is something special and unique. God has blessed them with true love and I am honored to have watched your relationship blossom into the great Love that you have for one another. Priscilla and James, I am beyond blessed by your friendships, and I wish you the best of luck in all your new adventures as husband and wife. Trust in the Lord and his plans for you. Lean on him in good times and in bad. You are meant to be, because you choose to be. Always choose each other, and always choose to love! I love you guys bigger than big! So proud of you!

This is where I need to be...

Within the first two hours of being in San Diego I have:

Gone on a bike ride with my favorite person- my brother
Had peaches wrapped in prosciutto in an arugula salad tossed with lemon dressing
and really yummy chicken

AND..
found a wine I could drink a full glass of!

This place feels like home to me...

now just need to find a way to make it my home

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

flying lessons "earth elgies" 2000


i never thought traveling was a priority to me.
yes, i enjoy it.. a lot
yes, i want to experience other places
but, there have always been things to hold me back.
financially
mentally
physically

i have the travel bug right now.

i want to see the world
i want to open my eyes to so much more

this doesnt mean i have to go to all these different countries
even just traveling to new states and cities i havent been too

looks like im ready for new adventures

Adventures

These are a few of the adventures I would like to take, go to, or do:
(in no particular order)
(in the next few years)

walk the three day breast cancer walk, again

drive through big sur

see Ray LaMontagne in Vegas, San Diego or Phoenix

Australia and play beach volleyball

scuba diving

Colorado to snowboard(winter) and/or hike(summer)

Hawaii and fly with my friend Greg (he is and will be the pilot)

indoor skydiving

camping out under the stars in california

see LOVE in vegas

fall in love

go wine tasting in Northern California (or anywhere) and find a wine I like

drink sangria in spain

slow dance with someone

go to a professional football game maybe the Chargers with Amanda

eat bruschetta (and lots of food) in italy

indoor rock climbing- then do outdoor rock climbing

work for TOMS shoes

go on a cruise

travel to seattle and go to pike's place market and get coffee at the OG starbucks

go to new york for new years

go to the batting cages

run a half marathon
then run a full marathon

go ice skating at rockefeller center, with the big christmas tree in the back

volunteer at a Cancer treatment center

go paintballing

sing karaoke

build a fort in the livingroom and watch movies in it

cruise my bike down the boardwalk

try new restaurants
and new cuisines

take a staycation

get my tattoo

gamble in Vegas (and win)

play domino's outside at a park with a friend

take cooking classes

try birkham yoga

have a picnic

work with a non-profit

eat clam chowder in san fran

pick an actress or actor- and have a movie marathon of all their movies

go to different libraries and read books from a booklist

cook recipes i love

actually get up on a wakeboard

learn about other cultures and religions

maybe- real skydiving

stand over the grand canyon

take salsa dance lessons with a boy

eat deep dish pizza in chicago

go surfing in Hawaii, again

hike the grand canyon

live in London

ride in a helicopter over waterfalls

go back to the Lourve

move to california

get my masters

fall in love with living life to the fullest

the ultimate adventure will be finding myself along the way...

I'm ready for an adventure... who is coming with me?