Day 5: Picture of Somewhere You Have Been Today

RED ROCK HOTEL!!!

I was there for majority of the night last night... but I was there past midnight and well into Tuesday AM so that counts as today!! =)



I feel like this is way to short of a blog so I have to write about other things! Otherwise, this would be a pointless blog post!!

So today officially started the beginning of the Spring '11 semester. Am I excited about it? SOMEWHAT! I mean I was offered an AMAZING position working at the Academic Success Center doing advising for UNLV athletes and students with undeclared majors. I can say that I am now in my 2nd semester as a graduate student! Who ever would have thought I'd be saying that!!
But as I look upon the 4 - 28 page syllabi I have and the many assignments, papers, discussion posts, workshops, projects, advocacy events, quizzes, and exams, I definitely am going to be challenged! Challenged with my time management skills... Am I going to be able to properly pace myself to make sure every assignment gets the attention it deserves? Am I going to be able to still see those I love outside of having to spend hours upon hours reading about combat trauma and advocating for those less fortunate? I will also be challenged in my study skills! We all know that I am by far the worst when it comes to studying. I always wait until last minute and some how manage to pull off good grades. I would say that this obviously works for me and I shouldn't complain. However, one of my goals for the semester is definitely going to be changing those habits!! I'm going to set aside one day a week for each class and do nothing but worry about those class assignments for that day. I think that's a pretty good plan.... RIGHT!?
I am most definitely going to be challenged in the sense of being able to withstand the pressure and demand of this rigorous schedule. I have faith in myself and I know many others have faith me, so I think I got this!!

SOOOOOOOOOO if you are lucky enough to see me this semester, you should feel honored that I found time to release myself from the stack of textbooks and paperwork in the library!!!


“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
- Tom Bodett

Day 4: A Habit You Wish You Didn't Have!

When I saw what today's blog challenge was, I got really excited because I knew exactly what my answer was going to be!! I had a discussion about this with a friend earlier and definitely decided this was one of my worst habits!

I NEVER do laundry!!!

Ask all the people I live with! It drives my dad crazy because I maybe do laundry every 3 weeks or so! This is because of my ridiculous habit of going shopping all the time and not getting rid of old clothes. I always feel like I can't donate things because in a week, I might want to wear it and then I won't have it anymore =).

It was definitely one of my new years resolutions to start getting rid of this habit! I think I am on track. So far, I've cleaned out my closet twice and have given a ton of clothes to Kailey and Kelly. I have to do some more shopping for the new job these upcoming weeks so I'm sure more clothes will be heading their way.


Time to go finish my laundry! LOVE YOU ALL!!


“Opportunity knocks for every man, but you have to give a woman a ring.”
- Mae West

Day 3: Picture of You and Your Friends

My best friend Rachel and I on her wedding day... no one will ever know me better than this girl!



JNWC Girlies.... Melissa, Treasure, Sarah, and Amanda... love these girls!!!



In Korea with Beth, John, and Danny!!



Melissa and I... showing the boys on Halloween that we can touch our nose to our toes!



“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one”
- C.S. Lewis

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 2

DAY 2: MEANING BEHIND YOUR BLOG NAME....




When I originally created this blog, it was titled "Destination: Dobong". It was to be my journal as I spent 7 weeks in Dobong, Seoul, South Korea over the summer of 2010.

When I came home from Korea, I decided that I love blogging so much that I needed to keep this one going. But of course, I had to change the name. I contemplated with my friend Amber Bodine about all the words that started with "k" that we could use for a name. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that I am probably one of the most creative people you will ever meet. Just ask any of my parents who have gotten a homemade gift for a present or one of my siblings who have gotten a custom shadow box after their wedding.

Look around my bedroom and you will find all kinds of creative ideas I've had, from picture collages to corkboard walls to hang notes on. I know that being creative is a huge part of my personality so I thought I would put my "creative" twist on my blog name by spelling it with a "k"!

Then I thought well what else makes me unique. My inner beauty shines more than anyting. Again, asking anyone I know, my personality is the most beautiful part of my character. It is not perfect hair, or perfect teeth, or any of those other physical features that society dictates as beautiful. It is my ability to adapt, to make the room laugh during a boring moment, to not be afraid to show emotion, to ignore those who discourage my dreams, and to shine brighter than any star. My inner beauty allows me to have the confidence to face the world, one day at a time, with no fears. I take a leap of faith on a daily basis and know that I am being guided by what makes me "beautiful" on the inside.

So combining these two most important parts of my character lead me to the blog name "Kreatively Beautiful!"


"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
-Audrey Hepburn

30 Day Blog Challenge

I'm stealing another blog idea from Sam, only because she wrote in her blog that I should steal it. It was almost like a challenge. I guess both of us doing this at the same time might keep us on track to do it every day. Here are the 30 days of topics....

1- Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
2- the meaning behind your blog name
3- a picture of you and your friends
4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
5- a picture of somewhere you've been today
6- favorite super hero and why
7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
8- short term goals for this month and why
9- something you're proud of in the past few days
10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
11- another picture of you and your friends
12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one
13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently
14- a picture of you and your family
15- put you ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
16- another picture of yourself
17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
18- plans/dreams/goals you have
19- nicknames you have and why you have them
20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
21- a picture of something that makes you happy
22- what makes you different from everyone else
23- something you crave for a lot
24- a letter to your parents
25- what I would find in your bag
26- what do you think about your friends
27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge
28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?
29- in this past month, what have you learned
30- your favorite song

Today is going to be day 1 so here is my recent picture...



You know you all love me as a redhead!!! And here are my 15 interesting facts...

1) I wanted to be a pediatrician from the time I could talk until my junior year of college when I finally realized all the Science was not for me. So glad that my baby brother is following in my pre-med footsteps though!
2) I have a secret obsession with scarves!
3) Unlike Sam who wishes she had time to be more crafty, I think I have TOO much time to be crafty... just walk into my room!
4) I've had 2 surgeries to fix a hole in my ear drum in my right ear and have the scar still to prove it.
5) I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters (only one of them is by blood but I love them all the same).
6) I graduated high school in the top 2% of my class and was one of the most decorated students at graudation (2 medals and 4 chords for my various accomplishments and activities).
7) I have been in trouble with the cops before... those of you that really know me, know the story... those of you that don't know it, don't need to know it! =)
8) I have my wedding all planned out with every little detail... just need to find a groom!
9) I am one of the co-founders of Rebels Against Drunk Driving (RADD) at UNLV after the passing of Lindsay Bennett. RIP LB!
10) My most prized possession is a bracelet that my grandmother gave me. My grandfather had it custom made for her before he passed and with as much as it means to her, I'm honored that she gave it to me.
11) My 68-year-old grandmother and I got matching tattoos in Italy (and it was her idea after we went to church!)
12) I still have dolls in my room that were given to me as young girl that I hope to one day pass on to my daughters.
13) My dream car is a pearl colored Escalade EXT on rims, slightly lifted. Silly boys, trucks are for girls!
14) Summer of 2012, I will graduate with my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This will mean I will have my Bachelors and Masters in only 7 years of college! NOT TOO BAD =)
15) I am a quotes fanatic! I feel like there is a quote for everything. I even said I was thankful for quotes in my last blog post.


Quote of the night...
"I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you.”
- Colin Raye

ABC's of Being Thankful

My amazing little sister did this on her blog in December. I read it for the first time tonight and thought it was an awesome idea! I am going to start my 2011 off by letting you all in on my ABC's of what I am thankful for.... (some of them have multiple .. just a fair warning)


A – I am thankful for being ALIVE! Every day brings on new challenges that may or may not cost me my life. But it is one thing to be walking around on this earth with no goals, no purpose, no hopes. That is not being alive! Alive is knowing where you want to head in life and taking the necessary steps to get there... and that is exactly what I am doing!

B – I am thankful for BEST FRIENDS! I’ve had a common theme of friends coming in and out of my life for various reasons. There are a couple of them that have stuck by my side through thick and thin and I love them to death for that. They know who they are! You guys mean more to me than you will ever know. You hold some my most precious memories in the palms of your hand and I hope you know that!



C – I am thankful for CUDDLING! There is nothing more in this world that will make me feel better than cuddling. Whether it’s with a significant other, my puppies, or my sisters, just being held will always put a smile on my face. I am also thankful for the ARIZONA CARDINALS! Even though they were the major cause of my stress this season, they will still have my heart! We will get them next year!

D – I am thankful for my DOGS! Everyone who knows me knows that my puppies are my pride and joy! They brighten my day on a daily basis. Lee is starting to get super old and it is showing. The day he passes will most definitely be the hardest day I’ve had to go through in my life.

E – I am thankful for EX’S! I know that is probably the craziest thing to be thankful for but I definitely have my reasons. My ex’s have taught me how to fend for myself, how to be vulnerable, how to let my walls down only when I am ready to, how to tell the difference between love and lust, and how to be strong about not giving up my own dreams to settle for another’s. I wouldn’t be the same person I am now had I not had these experiences.

F - Of course, I am thankful for my FAMILY! My family is my rock, the one thing that has been constant in my life over the years. Most people in this world get one set of parents but I’m a lucky girl because I have 2 amazing sets of parents, each helping me through life’s daily challenges. My brothers (Ross, Marcus, Mike, and Thomas) are my protectors, my personal security guards. My sisters (Leslie, Sam, and Sammy) are my personal guidance counselors, always there to talk to when I just need someone to pick up the phone. My nieces and nephews (Cameron, Tianna, Jordan, Daniel, Kayson, JD, and Kingston) are my precious smiles, loving me no matter how crazy of an aunt I may be. I couldn’t ask for anything better!






G – I am thankful for GAME NIGHTS! My mom side of the family has game nights almost on a weekly basis and anyone who has been special enough to get an invite to one of these game nights knows that it is quite the adventure! Almost all of our inside jokes come from events during these nights. There is absolutely nothing like it.

H – I am thankful for my HEALTH! There are a millions of people in this world who wish they could have the health that I have because they are in much worse conditions. I know I complain a lot about some of the issues I have had, but I just have to realize it could be a lot worse. I am also thankful for HOPE! Hope has gotten me through a lot in life. Whether it has been through medical issues, family issues, school issues, or whatever it may be, the ability and freedom to have hope is what has gotten me to this point!

I – I am thankful for the ability to IGNORE those who do not support my success! I used to be one of those people that are so concerned with how others succeeded with my help or what they may have thought of me. I have gotten to the point now where I realize I need to put myself first. My dreams and wishes comes before anyone else’s and the ability to ignore those that do not support that allows me to be the best I believe I can be at this point.

J – I am thankful for the JNWC! I had the pleasure of doing my senior year internship there and I am so glad I did. Not only did I learn a lot about myself through the work I was allowed to do, but I gained a lot of knowledge from the relationships I built. This was the first office where I felt that being myself added to the completely dynamic of our mission and made work that much more fun. I miss my officemates and our 4:30pm dance parties!




K – I am thankful for KISSES! Just like cuddling, a kiss can mean everything. The ones that mean the most to me are the kisses on the forehead. I feel like these are a sign of support and genuine love. It’s like sending the physical message of “I’m always going to be here for you.” Kisses from my nieces and nephews are definitely the best too!

L – I am thankful for LOVE and LAUGHING! My life is so filled with love that I feel like there is no way I could love back just as equally. I have an overwhelming amount of support behind me right now that I don’t know what to do with all of it. Of course, laughing makes the world go round and it is another one of those things I have to do on a daily basis. As long as I laugh at least once a day (whether it’s because Rachel sends me a picture that only her and I find funny or my dad gets upset because he thinks my stepmom and I are picking on him) I will be a happy girl.

M – I am thankful for MEN! They have been the cause of a lot of my stress but only because I allow them to be. The opposite sex can teach you a lot about yourself and you will never realize it until they have already made the impact they are going to.

N – I am thankful for NEW RELATIONSHIPS! Any new relationship that is formed in my life has had purpose and meaning behind it. I love building upon these relationships to test myself. They each add their own personal touch to my life and I love that excitement of not knowing what might happen next.

O – I am thankful for being ONE IN A MILLION! My dad reminds me on a daily basis how unique I am and how I am going to go places in life. One day, I am going to be an awesome catch for some lucky guy!



P – I am thankful for having my own PACE in life. I have decided I am going to move at the speed that I want to. I will not be pressured into moving faster or slower because only I know what pace is good for me. Through my own experiences, I have figured that one out.

Q – I am thankful for QUOTES! I am a quote fanatic. I feel like everything in this world can be explained with a quote, hence why every one of my blogs ends with a quote.

R – I am thankful for RAINY DAYS! Everyone in my life knows there is nothing more exciting to me than a rainy day where I can stay in sweats, cuddle in bed, and watch movies all day long! I am perfectly content in that element and definitely wish it rained here more. I think once I am married and have a family, I am going to have to live in a place that it rains monthly. I am also thankful for being a REBEL! UNLV has been my home for the past 3 years and will be for another year and a half. I know I made the right decision in moving home from Arizona to continue my education as a rebel!



S – I am thankful for SCHOOL! The fact that I am a female in this country now working on Master’s degree means the world to me. Many years ago, females didn’t have that option and I am so glad we have moved beyond those social restrictions. My education means everything to me because it means I am independent enough to be a successful woman in this world! I am going to do great things with my education, just you wait! I am also thankful for getting the chance to be a SUN DEVIL! ASU will always be in my heart because there is no other school like it. I have so many memories as a Sun Devil that I will never forget where my college roots started!



T – I am thankful for TRAVELLING! I have been lucky enough to travel more than most people get a chance to do. I can’t wait to see what trips are in my future but I know there are many more to come!





U – I am thankful for how UNIQUE my life is! No one in this world can walk up to me and say they know where I have been and what I have come from. Every experience I have makes me that much more unique than the next person. Every day I am adding to these experiences and can’t wait to see what the future brings me!

V – I am thankful for VINTAGE VIXENS! My definition of a vixen might not be the same as the next persons. I feel a vixen is a strong, independent woman who has made a name for herself. Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie O are vintage vixens in my eyes. I hope that one day girls my age look into the past and see me as a vintage vixen!

W – I am thankful for the WILLOW TREE on Angel Falls Drive! All of my old neighbors know how much this willow tree meant to us. We spent years playing under it, carving our initials into it, and seeing new residents of the house raise their own kids to play under it just like us. It is no longer there but it will forever be a staple of my childhood.

X – I am thankful for X-RAYS! Anyone that knows me really well knows that I am a doctor’s best friend and without the technology of X-rays, I probably would have a lot more injury scares than I have already had!

Y – I am thankful for YOU! The fact that you are reading this post and have actually made it down to this letter means you care enough about me to wonder what I had to write! I will be even more thankful for you if you actually start commenting on these posts!

Z – I am thankful for ZEBRA PRINT HEELS! Look at a girl in zebra print heels and tell me what you think! I guarantee you that your thoughts will include that she has a wild side and is probably a super fun girl! That girl is going to be me!




Now that you know my ABC’s, next time make sure you are part of them with me!