It's good to be back!

Okay! Okaaaay!  I know.  It's been 10.2 BILLION years since I wrote my last blog post.  Also, I may have developed an overly dramatic tendency while we were apart.  (Don't ask anyone who knows me whether or not I had said tendency before my blogging hiatus.  They'll lie!)  A lot has happened since the last time I furiously typed a post and sent it into the swirling pool of information we call the internet.  

I finished my degree in justice studies.  I wrote a few songs (decidedly less than I would like.)  I lived through some hellish experiences - one of those involved almost losing my dad.  Life caught up with me.  I let things slip.  I slipped.  So, here's to a new year and more blogging than I've ever done before.

I solemnly swear to the three people (hi, Mom!) who read my silly blog that I will be present this year.  I have so many things percolating in my brain, and I cannot wait to share them.

For now, go out there and do something this weekend!  

Even if that means putting your pajamas on and watching Sandlot while stuffing your face with crawfish.  Is that a bad idea?  Is that lame?  I'm asking for a friend...

*ahem*
Anyhoo...

xoxo
Kimmy

SXSW hath murdered sleep...

Hello, Internet!

   I'm way overdue for another blog! Since I'm anything but well-rested, was given a deadline for posting a blog, there's a lady awkwardly staring at me in Panera, and I was tagged - I think this is the perfect time! 

   This past Thursday I embarked upon a mini road trip adventure to Austin with Have Coffee Will Travel and her extremely tall boyfriend for SXSW.  For anyone living under a rock that's South by Southwest - the one week a year where all my dreams come true and every band or artist I love converges upon Austin for 7 days of musical heaven. Yesssssssss! (Imagine I sound like Napoleon Dynamite for that one.)
   We wandered around downtown Austin, watched strangely-dressed people mill around, ate Kimchi fries, and ended the day by seeing a friend of mine play a free show inside a TGI Friday's...inside a hotel.  The day was adventurous and as weird as Austin itself - and we loved it.  I'd go into a long, detailed blog about our adventure, but I'm still waiting on pictures from the before-mentioned tall dude that occupied the backseat and acted as our security detail for the trip.
   Now onto the issue of being tagged...

Questions:

1.Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall

  I refuse to choose just one!  

 - Spring - I love the flowers and the rain - but only when I don't have to drive in it.
 - Summer - I secretly would like to be a beach bum.  Sleep in the sand, splash in the waves, the smell of sunscreen, and that scent that your skin gets when you've spent too much time in the sun.  True love.

 - Fall - I love the crunch of leaves under my feet, the way my hair curls the way I like it when it's not 1,000% humidity in the fall.

 - Winter - Hot chocolate, chicken and dumplings, my pink peacoat, and boots - definitely wearing boots. 'nough said.

2. Favorite roadtrip

 - My oldest sister and I embarked on a ridiculously ambitious drive straight from Houston to Portland, Maine.  Yes, M-A-I-N-E...that state at the far northeastern tip of the USA.  It was crazy, exhausting, and I'm STILL in love with Portland.  

3. Favorite roadtrip snack

 - I never go on a road trip without some beef jerky.

4. The last five songs on you listened to, iPod or radio

  Bon Iver - I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time
  David Ramirez - Strangetown
  Ray Lamontagne - Hold You in My Arms
  Ray Lamontagne - Crazy (Gnarls Barkley Cover)
  Jessie J - Domino

5. Do you have any tattoos, if so where

 - I wish! I actually dreamed about getting a tattoo last night. Creepy!

6. Star Fleet or Jedi

 - Star Fleet! Our dad raised us right. ;)

7. Five words to describe yourself

 - determined, cheerful, sassy, ambitious, loved

8. Where did you go on your first vacation

 - Our parents took us on plenty of vacations when we lived in Europe...I'm thinking Austria was probably among the first. My first real ADULT vacation was to Boston, MA. I heart New England. 

9. If you could move anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

 - It's a tie between London and Honolulu.  I love the European and Hawaiian lifestyles.  They're definitely different from being a city girl in the US.

10. Favorite meal you can cook

 - Chicken Divan...it's this family dish we've been eating since as far back as I can remember.  Chicken, cheese, rice, broccoli, breadcrumbs...cheese...did I mention cheese? ;)

XOXO

Kimmy 

My Wise Old Man

     I've recently found myself applying to transfer back to the university that I first started college at.  A few things have resulted from my plans...


     1.) My mother has been in a dither because all she can seem to remember is me being sick all the time while I was there.
     My answer to this:
     Firstly, I blame it on only consuming breakfast cereal and ice cream with the occasional cheese and tortilla on Quesadilla Wednesdays.  Secondly, it was the consequence of sleeping with the window open all winter...don't judge me!  The heater was awful from the top bunk when your head was practically next to the vent!   My six foot tall roommate was afraid of heights and insisted on having the bottom bunk.  I'll let you ponder the distance between my head and the ceiling with that detail.  Lastly, I blame the lack of sleep.  I only slept on Saturdays.  My weekday bed time usually ranged around 3 to 4 o'clock in the morning.  Yea...how did I finish my freshman year alive? 


    2.)  I've been realizing that I'm really not as organized as I thought.
     Apparently, even though I've been graduated for a good 5,000,000.56875 years from high school (okay, maybe more like 7.5 years) they still want things like my ACT and SAT scores.  I really thought I had these filed away nicely somewhere.  I really really really...really really...really...really..re...all...y...did. (This is the point when I smile like I'm crazy and my eyes glaze over.)


     So, while trying to dig up those darn test scores, I've been poring over my old email box.  You know, the type with the really embarrassing user name?  Like nsyncluvr4life@yahoo.com ...or... futurebackstreetboybride@hotmail.com??  Yea...it's one of those.  Except it doesn't have anything to do with any boy bands that I liked in junior high.  Anyhow, I did a search for emails in my box that dated to 2003, and I stumbled upon a note from my dad.  He's not much for writing (which is obviously why I saved it.)  I couldn't help but be excited to uncover this treasure I'd forgotten.  It's monumental since he's the don't-cry-rub-some-dirt-on-it-I-only-say-I-love-you-on-special-occasions sorta guy.  
     I eagerly clicked on the email to open the contents and halfway through reading I was tearing up.  It really hit home for me something that I've been struggling with lately, and it reminded me of a girl I haven't been for a good 5 or 6 years, that I have work still to do, and that there's goals to be reached.  His words really put to rest the fears that I have of branching out again, moving to another city to pursue something that I love, desire, and am meant for.


     So, for the sake of inspiring the few people who take the time to read my silly blog I will share my pop's sweet words to me, at the time, his seventeen year old daughter, the youngest of his three daughters, the first Gaskins girl to move to another city, and the first to go live on campus while attending college full time.  I hope they remind you that it's okay to take chances, to step out and do something awesome even if scary. 

     "Hi there!  I've included your resume and hope it comes
thru.  I'm so proud of you and excited about this
phase of your life's journey.  I want to encourage you
to simply do your best, love God, and practice
kindness.  We love you so much.  Don't let things
overwhelm you, we're here for you and pray for you
several times a day.  You're doing something that's
never been done before in our family, going off to
school.  So, I guess you could call yourself the
explorer of the family.  That's what I did, I got on a
bus and launched out into the world.  You may have
moments of loneliness, that's normal, if you feel like
crying then that's what you do, I know cause I did. 
But the secret I found was to be with others, and
connect with them thru study of the Word, praying and
just enough time hanging out together and I did just
fine.  Well I guess I'd better get off to this job
fair this morning, will call or write again soon.

Lots of Love
Dad"

XOXO

Kimmy

What a Lazy Blogger Does...

   I, my friends, am a lazy blogger.


   I'll admit it! I'll shout it from the rooftops if you want me to.
   I won't promise you to do better.  I won't swear to always be true.  However, I will tell you that I'm getting help.  Not in the form of Bloggers Anonymous (which would TOTALLY be awesome,) but one of my dearest friends, Have Coffee Will Travel, has decided to remind me to blog.  Which I think is a noble pursuit since I'm awful about getting caught up in life.  Especially lately.  Let me explain...


   Per my previous ramblings you guys have learned that I was living the not dreamy life of an office worker.  I punched 9 to 5. (Well...more like 7 to 4, but I digress...) I did this said "punching" until August 19th when I was given an exit interview and sent on my way.  I would like to mention that both my bosses cried, as did I.  I became a victim of the economic downturn.  You know those people you hear about on the news?  Those faceless statistics you read on Yahoo?  Yup.  That's me!
   So here I sit, a single, attractive, unemployed, twenty-five (almost) year old woman who has NO CLUE where to go from here.  I've spent the last three years building an idea that Xerox would at least be a temporary career for me.  I could use it as a salary to help me along until my music gig got off the ground.  Who knew they'd break up with me first? It's just not fair!  I mean...aren't I supposed to be the one who gets the last word?!
   All right, so I'll quit whining.  I'm making this blog brief because there's a steaming hot cup of Starbucks "Calm" tea sitting next to me, and I'm trying to solve world hunger from where I sit.


   No time for blogging here.
   Until next time...

XOXO

Kimmy

A Short Life

I found out some of the most horrible news that a person can receive today.
A man that is very near and dear to my heart and my family has passed away.  I know people always say "It was too soon."  I don't think I've ever felt the impact of that statement until today.  


The hardest part is that there are no words to really express the emptiness you feel when you realize someone that was literally in your hands yesterday is suddenly gone.  I hugged him, talked to him, prayed next to him.  Just yesterday. 


How much more fragile can life get?  


When I heard the news my mind cataloged through the moments I'd stood with him.  The times when he'd reached out, arms wide, and hugged me tighter than I'd ever felt.  He truly loved those around him.


I think about the time that, not even a month or so ago, he sat on the end of a stage - one arm around my shoulders - and gave me one of the most insightful, fatherly pep talks I'd ever had.  There's no possible way you can describe the feeling of love and encouragement that he brought.


We will love you always, Papa Vic.
Our hearts are forever marked and changed.
I'll see you soon.

40's 40's 40's...did I say 40's?

Stick a fork in me - I'm obsessed.

Yes.
Obessed.

With the 40's.

I've been losing sleep over how to get my hair to do perfect pin curls, and those giant roll things...don't act like you don't know what I mean! ;)

I've got the shoes.
I've got a dress.
I've got a necklace.
I have a photographer.

I just need some earrings...and a wig.

...And a handsome soldier dressed in 1940's military garb.

Let's face it!  I need Captain America! 
Chris Evans, send your biceps.

I'll be waiting.

XOXO

Kimmy

Beach Fail

Spend a day with me and you'll figure out I love two things - music and the beach.

Now if they only made movies like they did in the old days I could combine my two loves into a Beach Blanket Bingo meets Gidget adventure.  I'd even do the acting for free!  As long as my "Moondoggie" costar was played by Adam Levine.  (I wonder if he knows how to surf...)

But I digress - so last Saturday we had a big weekend adventure planned.  Myself and some of my favorite girlies were heading to the beach to veg while soaking in the vitamin D....

As you can see - this is how our great "beach adventure" turned out.

So as we pondered the rain clouds we thought to ourselves, "What do we love ALMOST as much as the beach?"

Greek food!!!

I'm not really sure what the beach and Greek food have to do with each other.  So, we sped into the stormy horizon to make our tummies happy as consolation to our beach fail.

If I described how much I love Nikko Nikko's to you, you'd probably be really disturbed and so I'm going to spare you.  Here's a picture of the soda cup that warms my little heart.

I feel Greek already.

I asked Jessica and Julianne to look like they loved each other/their food.

At this point the only thing I'm sure about is the fact that they probably won't be making it in Hollywood anytime soon...

I'm also scared because Jules looks like a demented chipmunk.   No disrespect to chipmunks.  

As I write this post it's started to dawn on me that maybe the above "demented chipmunk-itis" was caused by consuming too much Greek food.

Forget burying me in a coffin.  Just fill a box full of this and lay me down to rest, baby! 

After we stuffed ourselves to the nostrils (because we don't have gills) with Gyros and potatoes Jessica managed to consume coffee described as below:

"A true coffee lover's coffee.  Black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love.  Also served with medium love or no love, your preference."

...and then we had to tie her up and throw her in my trunk after she started foaming at the mouth.

Overall I'd say it was a productive day. ;)