Stepping Out

"Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness." - Robertson Davies

So I had a revelation this weekend, with the help of a couple people, that I will never be happy unless I'm happy on the inside. I think I rely to heavily on other things and people to provide me with happiness. Although how am I ever going to meet those other people if, I myself, am not happy.

Now don't get me wrong, I am happy. Probably about 85 - 90% happy. And I'm definitely working on the rest. What I learned is that you've just got to be confident in the choices you've made and are making and everything will be okay. And be grateful for the things you have. Some one suggested that I make a list of the things that I'm grateful for so here we go:

1. My job and my apartment
2. My family
3. Having someone to live with (my sister)
4. Having great friends (Erin, Sarah, Corinne, Jenna, Katie, Sandy....)
5. Being healthy
6. Being able to do what I want with my life without many obstacles
7. Getting accepted to culinary school
8. My strong will to always want to improve myself and my life

When I think of more I will add them to the list. Maybe you should try it too if you're feeling a bit down. Someone told me that being depressed is a luxury. I think they were right. If I sit around thinking about all the stuff I don't have or don't like about my life, I'm wasting time that could be better spent on improving my life.

I am honestly working towards this goal!

BOO!

So even though I'm 22 years old now my sister's almost 25, we still believe in the magic of holidays. Last weekend we spent our rainy Sunday carving pumpkins. I just love all holidays...they're so cheery and wonderful. Anyways our pumpkins look awesome, although I'm afraid they might not survive til Halloween in this Texas heat. Eeeekkk!

Aren't they spooky. Our apartment complex is holding a pumpkin carving contest too. If we win we get $100 off November's rent! (I think we may be the only ones that carved pumpkins making us a shoe-in for the prize money!)

In other Halloween happenings....I'm gonna be the fabulous Marilyn Monroe for Halloween and my sis is gonna be a flapper girl. We're planning on heading down the the spooktactular 6th street festivities! So excited....and I just found out that there's this haunted house up in Round Rock where they lead you in to this pitch dark house with a flash light and you have to solve a puzzle to escape. It sounds incredibly scary but exhilarating at the same time....sadly I'm not sure anyone's up for it....tear.........

Anyways...Happy (Early) Halloween!!!

Why Ask 'Why'?

So I have this strange habit of asking why all the time? I have this constant thrist to know what is running through someone's head.

All will be fine. We'll be having a normal conversation and then they'll make some comment. Then they either make a face or I imagine they've made a face and I blurt out "why?"

It of course then makes the situation completely awkward because, without fail, they always just answer. I don't know I was just commenting. Then I feel like a complete idiot.

I wish I weren't so paranoid and awkward all the time...

In Her Shoes....well, actually mine!

I found these wonderful shoes on Friday night at the mall. They were hanging on display in the Gap just waiting for the perfect person to come along and purchase them. That special someone just happened to me. Not only were the green, but they were a size 10. Perfect. And they were on sale.

I broke them in last night. A little 6th street action combined with some dancing. Granted my feet hurt at the end of the night, but I figure that's the price I have to pay to break in a new pair of shoes and look cute!

Getting Down to the Knitty Gritty

So one of my tactics for reducing boredom since the big move to Austin was joinig a knitting group. I found it on MeetUp.com which I recommend visiting if you're planning to move somewhere new. They've got all sorts of groups and there's no pressure to attend every meeting. We meet everyone other week at Central Market in the cafe. It's so relaxing. Everyone just sits around the table, knits and chats about life. And the bonus....if you're having problems with your current project there are many eager women waiting to help you.

However, since my first meeting I've become quite obsessed with knitting. I am constantly looking online at knitting sites, reading knitting blogs and planning many many future projects. Plus I'm trying to figure out what perfect knitted gift I can give everyone for Christmas this year.

I've already finished a whole bunch of projects since I got to Austin in June. I've knitted 2 scarfs and a blanket. I'm not working on a couple different Christmas presents and will hopefully be starting a couple more. I'll attach some photos of my most recent projects of which I am extremely proud.




This is what I do every night now. I teach myself new stiches. I've just learned to read patterns. I'm making progress. Hopefully I'll eventually be able to teach myself how to knit socks. For now, I'm sticking to the regular kniting needles with the occasional use of some circulars. Everything else is just overwhelming right now. To Knitting!

Shifting into a Positive Light

So I haven't written in a month. I guess my only excuse is that I've been busy trying to figure out my life. Yep that's right, I'm taking on the biggest challenge of life. And I think I may have actually figured it out. Well at least for the time being.

Last week and finally decided to commit to the idea of going to culinary school. I have always thought about it and at long last have actually decided to do something about it. I applied to the Texas Culinary Academy here in Austin for the Patisserie and Baking Program. I am unofficially starting on February 19th! (Unofficially only because I haven't officially been accepted. If my high school would move out of the dark ages and figure out a way to disperse transcripts without a written notice and a $1.50 that would definintely help.)

The program lasts 12 months, 9 months of hands-on classes and then 3 months for an internship. The classes sound awesome starting with your basic breads and then eventually moving into cake decorating. That's right, starting making reservations now if you want my to make your wedding cake...haha. As for the internship, I'd love to work on a cruise ship. That would definitely be an adventure I'd like to have. So basically expect lots of yummy tasting things from me in the future.

My life has also been looking up since my sister arrived about a month ago. I finally have someone to talk to and to share things with. It's a pleasant change to say the least. We've been trying to explore Austin little by little each weekend, of course when you have to deal with TV on DVD distractions it's quite difficult to explore...haha.

I'm very happy now that I've taken the next step in my life. I'm finally moving towards a goal again and towards a new life!