Nothing

I have absolutely nothing to say. Do you wonder why it's been so long since I've written in my blog? Because I have nothing to say. Perhaps this means that I've been experiencing a great lack of adventure/excitement in my life recently. That's because my life has been filled with work, exercise, work, improv, improv, work and finally sleep. I sound grumpy. I'm not. I'm just uninspired at the moment.
I'm hoping that this flyfishing trip I'm taking this next week will bring new stories and adventures. Yes, yes, you heard it right. I'm going flyfishing. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing but I'm sure it will be fun. Plus I get to spend 3 days on a boat with my dad, brother and his new fiancee (who is really cool). Until today I was the only girl going. So this is a blessing!
I've prepared for this trip today by getting my eyebrows waxed and nether regions waxed as well. It's all rather exciting. It wouldn't be a blog by me if I didn't mention waxing. Apparently it runs my life. I also got a pedicure yesterday. It was a rather expensive pedicure but it had been so long since I'd had my toes worked on that I didn't care. She was sloughing off so much dead cracked skin from my heels that it was flying everywhere. I honestly was pretty disgusted. But that just showed my incredible need for a pedicure. Now when I arrive in Montana, all the fishermen will be in awe of my perfectly pedicured feet and my precisely manicured eyebrows. Or they will laugh at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing in Montana flyfishing. It's probably the latter. But hey, I'm going to give it a shot.
For having nothing to say really I sure did use up a lot of words.

Now I See

This morning brought revelation and understanding in my life. I have been quite exhausted this week. I thought this was all due to helping take care of my roommate who had emergency surgery on Saturday. I thought this exhaustion led to a severe need to cry (plus I haven't cried in months) and irritability. Tuesday I forced myself to cry. I laid on my bed and put on the two saddest songs I could find and just cried for 10 minutes. I felt so much better. I just didn't want to be around people and found myself thinking such negative thoughts. Most unlike me! Then my appetite came back with a vengeance and it was unstoppable.
So this morning as I woke up and did my usual visit to the bathroom, I suddenly discovered that I was not crazy but instead just PMS-ing. You have no idea what a relief it is to discover that fact. I overheard a friend saying Monday night that there is actually a hormone in our body that makes us forget about our menstrual symptoms. Now isn't that a unique but helpful insight?

Katy's Secret

It's official. It's been measured (right there in the store). I am no longer a 36C. I'm a 34B. Tragic weightloss consequence. I might as well wear a training bra.

Appetite

OH LORD HELP ME!!!!! Not only is my appetite back in full swing, but it's turned into a monster. I want to eat everything in site. And even if it's not in site, I want it. From where did these cravings appear? Seriously, I thought the Lord had answered my prayers and finally turned away my obsession with food. It looks like the obsession has only grown stronger with its absense. I need another miracle!
To make matters worse, our organization won a big award this past weekend so people keep showering our office with flowers and.....chocolate of all things! We work for a diabetes research organization. We don't need chocolate here. We need fruit. Where are the fruit baskets? I need help to save me from myself! Doesn't one kind soul understand that an office of women needs something other than an entire huge basket piled with chocolate delicacies. Chocolate heaven. Mount chocula? Or wait, maybe the person knows women all too well. But I need someone to tie me to my chair so I don't run in the kitchen one more time to take a nibble of that chocolate goodness. Decadence people. That's what it is and I can't resist.
Our office looks like a florist shop. It's beginning to smell like a hamster cage though. Have you ever noticed that? Too many flowers thrown together in an air tight place and things begin to stink. It reminds me of rush my first semester of college. After bid day, the dorm smelled of hamster cage. Perhaps it smelled a bit of urine too. And it was from the gorgeous flowers! Perhaps the smell of the flowers will make me so nauseated that I won't want the chocolate anymore. Please Lord?!!!!!

Champagne Dressing Room

I made my second trip to Bloomingdales ever...and was it EVER successful! Or damaging to the pocket book...well let's just say both.
My cousin, precious cousin Lindsay, is getting married Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks to my sudden weightloss, my dresses don't really fit me right now. So I HAD to go shopping for a new one. Bummer!
Sweet Maria came with me to 900 N. Michigan for a little shopping extravaganza. We went to one store that ended up having an event. They offered us a mini bottle of Champagne. We couldn't turn that down! Maria couldn't get it open so she put it in her bag. When we were in Bloomingdales, she noticed that it was leaking.
So after trying on about 20 gorgeous and way too expensive dresses, we decided to try to open it again. I of course got it open!!! There we sat in this huge dressing room surrounded by shrouds of material sipping out of this mini champagne bottle. I felt like a high schooler sneaking alcohol...at least what I assume one would feel like. I was a good girl and was never tempted back at that age. After not having eaten in hours, the champagne bubbles made me a little tipsy. But we were such REBELS!!!!! Or maybe we were just dorks. Either way it was fun and made us laugh.
I walked away with a gorgeous dress that hugs the curves. Hopefully it's not too much for a wedding. I tried on some other fun dresses that ended up being "askanky." That's my new term for dresses that bare it all! Wouldn't that be interesting....me in a skanky dress reading I Corinthians 13. Mercy! Thankfully God loves me for who I am!

Unsolicited Compliments 2

Yes, another comment about my backside this week!
As I was walking to rehearsal on Sunday night, I passed a man on the sidewalk who so generously stated the following:
You are the first ray of sunshine I've seen all day. Thank you for that A$$.
And there you have it, it's a phenomenon! I just gently tipped my head to the side and kept walking like I never heard anything. I have to admit that it made me nervous.

Unsolicited Compliments

Let's hear it for unsolicited compliments!! Hooray!
Today at lunch I decided to go and buy some bedding that I've had my eye on (a whole 24 hours). I've been looking for bedding for over a year now and just couldn't seem to find something that really hooked me. I have been concerned about myself ever making a decision about who to marry because apparently I can't even decide on what to put on my bed. Well, things are looking brighter because I made a decision! Hooray!....on the bedding that is, not the husband. I haven't been taking applications recently. So I buy this bedding in the basement of Bloomingdales Home Store (love that place!). As I am about to walk out the doors I notice it looks really dark outside and wonder, "when did they get tinted windows?" You see, it was warm and just slightly overcast when I went to the store, but as I left, the darkness had taken over the earth and paid it's revenge by pelting down rain! Drama! So with these two huge bloomingdale bags in my hand I decide that I have to run for it. No umbrella, no coat, no common sense. I was soaked but thankfully my new bedding stayed dry in it's plastic wrap.
Here's where the highlight of the day enters the picture. As I am crossing the street with my bags, a man runs past me and yells, "WOO HOO! WHAT A BOOTIE!" I look around to see who he's so boistrously commenting upon. Then I notice I'm the only one around. So with a raised eyebrow and my head cocked to the side, I give an approving nod. You know it! The Lord broke the mold on this one when He created it! Don't think I don't think He thought it was special! (three snaps in Z formation).
I ended up reaching the office soaked with both of my booties: the one I purchased and the one that God gave me. Now I have the song, "Do you like pina coladas, and gettin' caught in the rain" stuck in my head. At least it's Friday!!! Hooray!
Moral of the story: God made us all unique and beautiful. We need to take what we have and make the best of it. Appreciate it....and of course WORK IT!

The Diet

So what has girls all over Chicago wanting to make out with me? It's simple...my stomach virus. Everyone is hoping to catch a tidbit of this virus that has taken away my appetite and left me 12 pounds thinner. I think the weight loss is obvious considering my pants were about to fall off of me yesterday. Now, I do feel crappy and am very concerned that I have absolutely no desire to eat (because it's NEVER happened to me before) but I am elated that I'm half way to my goal weight. Thank you Lord?!
I finally went to the doctor yesterday to make sure I didn't all of a sudden come down with Type 1 Diabetes. Working for an organization that faces this disease everyday will sometimes make you paranoid that if you're really thirsty or have to go to the bathroom a lot one day that you have it. I'm pretty sure I don't but the doctors took my blood anyway.
So now I'll just have to force myself to eat "bland" food. What is "bland" food? Food I don't normally want to eat anyway! I'll figure something out. My aunt just called to tell me not to eat too much fiber for fear that the Green Monster will come back (is that too much information?). Good to know Auntie. I'll limit my intake of oatmeal.
Please don't make out with me. I'm not accepting any proposals at this time.
Thank you.

Green Monster

Is it sad when you rejoice that you've lost 7 pounds in a matter of a few days because you've been experiencing a touch of the stomach flu....or what I affectionately call it, "the Green Monster"? I believe I lost 5 of those pounds on Sunday alone. I guess I just got a jump start on my goal of losing 30 pounds in the next year. WAIT! I only have 11 months now.
I haven't even been able to eat much food. The thought of eating food makes me want to gag. It's quite the opposite of the problem I was experiencing last week. Shall we call that one PMS? Yes, I couldn't stop thinking about food and if I saw food it went directly into my mouth. It's like I didn't even have to pick it up. My internal hunger created such a force field that the food would just fly into my mouth. Seriously, what is a girl to do? If only I had gag reflexes when I saw something that I wasn't supposed to eat.
Now before you think I am borderline anorexic, take a breath. I AM NO WHERE NEAR HAVING AN EATING DISORDER. Don't need to send any interventions my way. I'm trusting that everything will be ship shape once I see a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Just what the doctor ordered! Can't you just see me with a pint of Ben and Jerry's Half Baked gagging as I'm shoving it my mouth. That stuff is irresistable. If I were held in a prison camp and they put Ben and Jerry's infront of me. I'd talk. It's that simple. See, now all of you know my weakness! Just promise me you won't use it against me.
Unfortunately I think I've only lost water weight and should be hooked up to an IV of fluids right now.
Here's to hoping the Green Monster will soon leave so I can live in peace. Cheers!

Pedestrian School

What if us pedestrians used the same tactics as cars when we make our way through the city? The following are a list of possibilities:

1) Airhorn: use this device when someone is walking too slow or to alert someone when you are rounding a corner. This can also be useful if someone cuts you off.

2) Left side of the sidewalk: This is to be used for the speedier of the pedestrians. Do not use this side if you are: walking a baby, carrying a box, walking with children, wearing high heels, over the age of 75, or have the day off.

3) Flashlight: This can be used as a more passive agressive defense compared to the airhorn. Flash it twice to alert pedestrians that they are about to get ripped into by you. This can also be used to alert pedestrian traffic that there is a large group of you trying to stick together.

4) Vocal: Don't be afraid to vocalize just as enthusiastically in public as you do in your car about how someone does not deserve to live because they can't read your mind! How dare they cut you off as you are trying to pass them in the cross walk. How dare they take the stairs slowly when the el train is pulling up. Don't they know?

5) Gestures: This would really add some great communication between people. Pedestrians in Chicago do not communicate with one another. We're all too afraid that someone will ask something of us that we aren't willing to give. This could open up that line of communication.

6) Portable windows: This can be useful when you happen upon a panhandler. Feel free to roll up this window and pretend that they aren't talking to you. This way you won't feel "uncomfortable."

7) Pedestrian School: for people who like to break the "unspoken rules" of the sidewalk.

What do you think? Add your own ideas or comments to the comments section below.

Ripped

Oh, it's just been one of those weekends. You know how I feel about my jeans. I hang onto them for years and expect them to love me back with as much respect as I've given them. Apparently I've loved one pair of jeans more than the rest.
I'd noticed that the inner thigh area of my jeans was beginning to wear thin. It's to be expected considering my thighs are best friends and sometimes a relationship this close can cause friction. Perhaps there was just too much friction recently. It all came together at one moment this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Climbing into my cousins huge car, I stepped up onto the floor board and stretched my legs so I could reach one foot to the ground and one into the car. As I tried to hoist myself up with my right arm and jump off my right leg I heard that noise....you know, the one where you pause for a second and say to yourself, "no, it can't be." And then you look between your legs in broad daylight without a care in the world because your precious jeans have...ripped! After a brief glance, you confirm the worst. You announce to the car load of people that you have indeed ripped your pants. You pretend it's not because the jeans were too tight but because they were loved too much. That my friends is what I claim and hold to as unwavering truth.
The part I really didn't enjoy was seeing the small part of fat spill out of that tiny hole. See, a good pair of jeans holds it in as if it were a girdle. Picture a zip lock bag of pudding. Squeeze the top so that it all is pressed into the seems of the bag. Then snip the bag at it's corner and squeeze again. You have a visual image? There, you're seeing what I saw that day. Mercy Lord!
I do tend to write about more of the shallow things in life. Maybe it's because I'm just so deep in every other aspect of my life. Ha! No, I want everyone to just enjoy themselves and not be bogged down by the burdens that life can sometimes present. Perhaps someday I will write about something more life changing than a pair of jeans ripping in an unfortunate location.
Notice the new comments section at the bottom of the page. Fun fun!

Blind Date

The email I didn't send:
Hi,
You know I had a great time getting to know you on saturday. I'm still laughing that our friend ditched us. I had a moment where I thought I was in high school again. I really would like to get to hang out with you again. I think we had a lot in common.
Anyways, I know you asked me to email you so you could have my number. I'm just giving it to you because you asked that I send it to you in case you wanted to use it. I mean, you don't have to use it. I'll understand if you don't. But if you do use it that's okay too. So don't feel like you have to use it. You just wanted me to email it to you so that I wouldn't feel awkward. Or maybe you asked that I just email you so that you wouldn't have to call me. You know, that's okay. I really didn't want to get to know you anyways! No really. It's fine that you don't want to call me. I have lots of friends and other potential dates. So just leave me alone! I don't want to hear from you. Got it? I HATE YOU!

Lookin' Good for Your Age

So it actually happened yesterday. I don't think that my new age of 29 deserved such a comment. I know the guy meant to be nice and everything but...puleeeeeeeeeeez!
Last night in class I was just chatting with a friend of mine. He caught in our conversation the phrase "it was my birthday this weekend." He promptly said a cheerful "happy birthday!" I, embarrassed, said "thanks." He asked which birthday I just celebrated. When I said 29 he paused for a moment. As soon as it sank in he just whispered a "wow" and then looked at me again, an almost up and down glance. He just stopped and thought for a second. He then said the words...the words that I never expected to hear. "You look good for your age." IS THAT A COMPLIMENT? How does one take that? It's not like I'm 75 years old and look like I'm 30. I'm a 29 year old who happens to look 22...so I've been told, ahem. At least now I'm old enough to where I won't get asked where my hall pass is if I go to visit my little brother in middle school. It seems like yesterday that I was carded for a Rated R movie. Oh wait, it was only 2 years ago.
This just gives me a mindset of how young these actors really are in my class. I mean, they think 29 is OLD???? Seriously peeps, let's get a grip on reality. Perhaps in the acting world, 29 is a bit late to get started, but come on! I'm not quite old enough to be on the show, "Thirty Something." I don't say things to them like, "hey, do you need to change your diaper?" or "call your mom to see if you can go out with us."
Whatever! I'm young, vibrant and love life. I'm not going to let this one get me down; especially since I know he didn't mean it in that way. He's just probably disappointed that I'm too old to date him. Yeah, that's it. I knew it. Poor thing, his dreams are crushed. That's a positive way to look at it. And I'm a positive person!

Sugar Withdrawl

I'm struggling through a serious sugar withdrawl. I have never eaten so much sugar in my life as I did this past weekend. I have the excuse that it was my birthday. Would somebody please tell my body? Here's a sampling of all the sugar/fat infested foods I had this past weekend:

1. Pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked (half Thursday night and the other half on Sunday night).

2. Chocolate Chip Cookie

3. Split a Chocolate Souffle and Creme Broulee.

4. Pancakes! And Mimosas!

5. More Chocolate Souffle and banana cream pie thingy.

6. Two and I repeat TWO cinammon rolls from Ann Sathers. And that was before the real meal. Call it an appetizer if you will.

I'm disgusting. I don't know how I could do this to myself. Monday and Tuesday were definitely days of complete narcoleptic exhaustion. Sitting at a computer could not have been harder (exaggerated by the fact that I was up at 4:50 am making airport runs for my sweet friends who came to celebrate with me). Weaning myself off of sugar was hard. Remind me never to do drugs. Especially drugs like meth or heroine....even cigarettes. Heck, caffeine is bad for you (haven't had it in 3.5 years...pat myself on the back).

All of this sugar prompted Becky, Wendy and I to set goals for ourselves this next year over a bowl of Chocolate Souffle with Peanut Butter Ice Cream. These are my goals:

1) Lose 30 lbs. by 30th birthday. A kind friend said I would be dead if I lost that much weight. Sadly, I'd still be alive and there would still be enough meat to feed a few stranded people on top of a mountain.

2) Go on four dates. I'm starting this one off this weekend. It's not really a date but more of an "introduction." No this has nothing to do with eharmony.com. Thank you very much.

3) Get an agent. This would mean I need to do something with my sad headshots.

4) Actually get paid for an acting gig. It still counts if it's $20 right?

5) Do some acting work outside of the Second City world.

I'm sure there are more that I will come up with but these are it for now. I think I have my work cut out for me. But at least I'm setting goals. Right dad? You taught me well! I want to end my 20's with a bang!!
I laughed so hard this weekend. It's so great to be around friends that know you so well. You don't have to say anything because you know what eachother are thinking about certain situations and the next thing you know, you're doubled over with laughter. We also had a great time sharing about our struggles this past year. Honesty and authenticity are refreshing!
I'm homesick for Texas this week. Maybe it's the fact that it's actually spring in Texas. I'm somehow able to smell the Texas spring. I can even smell my parents house. I just want to hug my mom and dad, pet the dogs and force my little brother to snuggle with me on the couch. My sister and I will laugh at ourselves while my older brother and I develop some new comedic character. I love the uniquenss of my family. My dad said our family motto is "love 'em anyways." My mom quickly said that she would never allow that to be our family motto. Secretly, I think we all know that fits us just perfectly.

It's Awesome!

You know those times in your life when you perform to your potential and you know you just nailed it? No, it wasn't me performing my gymnastics beam routine. I never nailed it. I had split the beam too many times in practice. I was very afraid of that event...and for good reason too. What I am referring to is me yesterday in my final Level 1 Conservatory class. It was just the greatest feeling ever! I didn't want to leave class. It was one where you knew your classmates wondered how you did it and even your teacher was a little impressed. I am still living off of my instructors comment a couple weeks ago when he said, "Katy, both times you went up there were awesome. How did it feel?" "great." "Well, it should. Good job." I mean, a compliment from Gellman? I was on Cloud 9.
Oh dear, I just bragged on myself. Well if I can't brag on myself in my blog, then when can I? (don't answer that roommates)
I'm pretty excited about my 29th birthday coming up. I really think this will be a great year saying goodbye to my 20's and ushering in my 30's. I still look 16, so what does it matter? Just think of all the potential great things that can happen this year! There will probably be some tears, some heartaches and challenges. But I also know that there will be great adventures, new friends, life changing memories and many wonderful surprises (there better be!).
Yesterday was the first spring like day we've had in a long time...well since that freak day back in January. I think everyone crawled out from under rocks and from their homes. Chicago really is populated. You can't tell that so much in the winter. Only in Chicago will someone be wearing shorts and no shirt throwing a frisbee when it's still 50 degrees out. But to us, it's like a nice summer day. I think we all are just desperate for warmth and the hope of spring. Not only for the weather but for our lives. We are sick of hibernating and want to experience life outside of our four walled homes. Pretty soon I'll be smelling hot dogs as I leave the el and walk home. The summer Wrigley crowd will get on my nerves and the drunk post-game people will yell under my window. It will be beautiful!
But for now, I'll suffer through the current snowy and 30 degree weather. My how things can change in a matter of hours! But just as things can change for the worse, there's always hope for the better. I'll hang onto that one for today.

Gotta Be the Jeans

Yesterday was a little reminiscent of last year's trip to Victoria's Secret. I needed a new pair of jeans. I have two pairs of great Lucky jeans. I bought one pair in 2003 and the last pair in 2004. So I figured now that it's 2005, it's time for a new pair.
I had read on "Daily Candy" that there is a new place called "The Denim Lounge" on Rush. It's supposed to have a whole downstairs room of different kind of jeans...ones that are sure to fit any body type. Alleluia! So yesterday I skipped on down to The Denim Lounge to check out their variety of jeans. They had so many! One woman asked if she could help me. I said "Yes. I am looking for a new pair of jeans. I'm a little larger in the thigh and hip region (which some people are a fan of). Do you have any jeans that are more friendly in that area?" I mean, Katy got back. With a questionable face she sucked in air through her clinched teeth, "well, we used to have a large amount, but most of them sold out." Shucks. But I came to realize that they sold out of those because EVERYONE is made that way. They had so many left over "skinny" jeans because no one could fit into them! Blah blah blah blah blah....you know the drill.
So she began pulling out a few pairs that may or may not work for me. The skinny thing pulled out a great pair of jeans and said "these are the kind of jeans I'm wearing." Well that pretty much sealed the deal that I wasn't about to try them on because no way would my body fit in a jean that housed skinny thighed women. I don't want anything to do with those! I did decide to try on 5 pairs...each got more depressing as I struggled to get them over my thighs. Seriously though, it's a little sad that some of these "thigh friendly" jeans were tight around my calves. I think it's because I'm an "athletic" girl. I run and have calves that don't like to be squeezed into those fashionable knee high boots. I have to go for the stretchy fake leather boots that hug my calves oh so nicely. It's not like they are "fat" calves, they're extremely muscular with a horseshoe shape to them. Enough defending my calves that were hand crafted by God.
I left the store with shoulders rounded and slowly made my way to Bloomingdales where I had a meeting in 30 minutes. 10 pairs of jeans later I had found 2 that worked. Of course they are a good 4 inches too long in the leg. But who cares! I found 2 pair that looked semi-decent on me. So what if I had to spend an arm and a leg on them, I look good! I do however need to invest in undershirts that cover the "crack" area that likes to be revealed in today's more fashionable jeans.
When you find a good pair of jeans, you've got to jump on it. Some guys may be thinking this is an insane concept. But all the women out there know exactly what I'm talking about. Think of it like this guys...jeans are to women like an x-box game is to guys.
Hmmmmm....think on that one.

Body Wrap

So I have a new boyfriend...he doesn't know it yet. His name is Nathan and he works at the Red Door Spa in downtown Chicago.
You may remember me mentioning the wonderfully generous gift my mother gave me for Valentines Day. Yes, I was the recipient of a "Shea Butter Body Wrap" from the Red Door. Honestly, I had no idea what this meant. It just sounded like it would moisturize my skin which is something I could use during this dry and violent Chicago winter. At times I resemble a snake molting. Very sexy I must say.
I scheduled my appointment for President's Day because I didn't have to work...hip hip hooray!!!!! I read on line that this treatment involves body exfoliation and being wrapped in cellophane. Sounds good to me! When I scheduled the appointment they said Susan or someone like that would be doing my treatment. Fabulous!
So yesterday I eagerly entered the Red Door Spa (which is a little under construction so it seems ghetto when you enter the building. The spa itself is in good shape). I pranced to the welcome desk, gave them my name and showed them my gift certificate with a smile...BING! The kind woman said that Maya would do my manicure, Margarita my pedicure and Nathan my body wrap. Perfect...wait, NATHAN????? Wait a second, that sounds a little masculine to me. No big deal. I've had a massage by a male before...he was gay so it didn't bother me. But wait, this whole body exfoliation thing made me wonder if I knew what i was in for. I mean, I've had exfoliation done before and let's just say that it wasn't for the modest. There was no hiding anything there.
Oh well, I was quickly being escorted to the changing area and didn't have time to really think this whole modesty thing over. I changed into those spa shoes and oh so comfy spa robe (I wanted to steal it but it wouldn't fit in my purse). I sat in the waiting are where they offered us beverages of cucumber or lemon flavored water. A room of women sat quietly afraid to disturb someone elses relaxation. Slowly but surely, the staff would come by and read off a name and a woman would quietly rise to receive her treatment. I was left alone to contemplate my impending destiny with Nathan and how he was probably gay so it would be no big deal. But before I could think too much, a young man with a ruddy complexion and curly hair read my name from a piece of paper. I could tell from the way he read it that he was a straight arrow.
He escorted me back down a long hallway that had many twists and turns. I have to admit that it's an odd feeling being led into one of these rooms. You know that there's great relaxation and pampering on the other side of the door but you also feel like a cow being led to the slaughter. We walked through a door into a dark room where there was soft music and a comfortable massage table. He said that when he left the room I could remove my robe and slip between the towels on the table. He also pointed out the disposable panties that I could use if I felt more comfortable. AWKWARD!! "Oh, okay, thank you very much." "I will be exfoliating your body. Is there any area that you would like me to avoid. For instance, I will exfoliate your stomach unless you feel uncomfortable." "No, no, that's fine. I'm fine with everything. I'm totally comfortable. This is totally normal. I'm not modest or afraid. I have no problems stripping down to the bare essentials and letting a stranger exfoliate my skin...a male stranger that is!" So with an awkward smile, he left the room and I psyched myself up to remember this is nothing. He's done this before. He's an expert. He went to school for this for goodness sake! It's almost like seeing a male gynecologist. Except that it's nothing like that. Gynecological visits leave you feeling a bit violated. I would leave this feeling totally relaxed!
So there I laid as he entered the room. I just closed my eyes and pretended that a woman named Bertha was scrubbing my body. Thankfully he was very appropriate and I didn't have to bare anything that wouldn't normally be seen in a bikini.
I just let myself enjoy it. Not only was I wrapped in warm oil and cellophane, I also got a head massage and a neck and back massage too. I just wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home! It was one of the most relaxing experiences EVER! I highly recommend it...and be sure to ask for Nathan.

Hot Date!

HOT DATE!!!! You may be asking your self in excited anticipation, "Katyo has a date?!!!!" Oh, I so wish I could be saying those words. No it's not me....it's my 14 year old brother! That's right, Drew has a date. Well it's more of a movie date with a group, but his "main squeeze" will be there. When my sister IM'd me that Andrew had a girlfriend I almost went bolistic. I mean, this is his first girlfriend. Of course I called him immediately after work to get the scoop. He was a little distracted because he was IM'ing people so I scolded him. I said, "I am your favorite sister who never sees you and you can't take 5 seconds to tell me about this huge development in your life!?" Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but I said something similar. I asked what she looked like and if I knew her (since I worked with his class when I did K-Life). He responded saying, "She's the cutest girl I have ever seen." Uh, my heart just broke because he was my little brother, my 14 year old brother, crushing hard on a girl. I have to say that it's just so sweet and I couldn't help but be giddy. He said he "dropped hints" to let her know that he liked her. So cute! He also said that she was a really great Christian girl. Music to my ears. Erin, my sister, read some of the letters they exchanged (he let her). She said it's the cutest thing ever.
So I have to admit that I had an angry fit/pity party on tuesday night. I don't know what came over me because I had an incredibly fun girls night (aka. Ro-Tic party "romantic party with out the MAN") at my apartment on Valentines. It was mostly me, God and my journal. I had some words with Him. Mostly saying things like, "I mean, my 14!!! freakin' year old brother has a girlfriend!" This is completely immature and most unlike me. I mean hadn't my roommate, Janell, just mentioned to me earlier that weekend that I'm an inspiration to her because I rejoice in my singleness? I must have had a weak moment...or week.
You may be wanting an update about my eharmony.com adventures. Well, I've become the entertainment for all married or currently attached women in my life; especially my office. I must give updates about findings almost hourly. I do have to say that Jim from Wheaton and I have really progressed far in our relationship. We're in stage 4. I've gone the farthest with him. That's a joke. Yes, if you did online dating, you would understand that joke. But you don't, so you don't get it. Ha! I have an inside joke...with myself.
I really hate the whole idea of online dating. I prefer there being some sort of connection. I am pretty much forcing myself to do this so I will "take a risk" and have some adventure in my life. But it also provides for some great writing material. Research, yes research! That's why I'm doing this. It sounds so much less pathetic! But it is kind of fun. Can I just make a suggestion to all guys out there? NEVER and I repeat, NEVER take a picture of yourself without your shirt on and post it online in expectation of making girls swoon over you. That immediately sends me to the "close" button and "click" you're gone forever. Have some tact peeps!
I'm off to do something fun this weekend! Who knows what it holds. I hope it's filled with laughter, fun stories and adventure. I wish you all many blessings!

Be My Valentine

Monday is Valentines Day. Once again, let's chalk up another year of me being single on Valentines Day. Each year I wonder, "maybe this will be the year! Maybe a year from now I will receive a valentine from someone other than my family." But each year I end up wondering the same thing.
I should really think of it in positive terms such as: I don't have to spend money on a present my valentine may or may not like. I don't have to have that awkward "what do we get eachother since we've been dating only 3 weeks?" conversation with myself. I take a moment to give thanks for all the wonderful friends I have in my life. My parents take pity upon me and send me wonderful Valentine gifts. I don't have to wonder if my boyfriend of 14 months will finally propose on valentines day. There are no expectations...therefore I have freedom. Ha! I am so lucky! I am free....to do what I want...whatever that is.
I do have to say that my mom gave me an incredible gift. At this point, if I had to choose between a mediocre boyfriend or the Spa Package my mom gave me, I'd choose the Spa Package. Hello! Me and the Red Door Spa have a date! And it could get intimate. I do believe I saw a Body Butter selection in the package.
So in honor of me being single once again on this holiday (I'm not bitter, just aware), I decided to sign up for eharmony.com. Now I didn't pay anything b/c I don't think I could do it. BUT, I did have fun filling out 200 questions about myself. I'm weird like that. I like learning more about myself...how wonderful I am...the usual. I've received some interesting "matches." I have yet to receive one that lives in my same city. It's kind of sad. I have no match here in this city. NO WONDER I'M SINGLE!!! I guess I'll have to move. Must of my matches live in California. What does that say about me? I'm weird. Gotta love the quirkiness.
Let's see about my matches:
Warren - lives in Cali, love sports, Jesus and sounds a bit competitive. Has promise.
Brian - lives in Pennsylvania, likes to socialize and laugh, has a good time. I enjoy those things too.
Jose - lives somewhere in Wisconsin, admires Mother Theresa, very close with his family. again, could be a match.
Cheong - Lives in Cali, sounds smart, loves Jesus, a little more serious than me.
Roger - can't remember much about him.
Anyways, hoping for a few more pick's. But I'm sure these are lovely gentlemen. I have to admit that I signed up for this but when I read about other people who do I think, "oh, they must be lonely and can't meet anyone." That is such a double standard! Maybe they are normal people like me (if you call me normal). They are just willing to take risks and don't struggle with their pride like I do. So I merely am humbling myself and allowing God to work in ways I swore I would never allow myself to take part in. He's funny like that. And I'm proud like that.
Oh wait, another match...please God, please!

Update on Me

My mom called me while I was at a friends house over Christmas to tell me that my headshots had finally arrived! With great anticipation I flew home to open up the Fed/Ex package. I dropped the contents on the kitchen island and began to scan over the pictures. Let's just say, blech! Not a one was pleasing to my eye. Maybe it's because I was looking at the whole picture instead of all the individual shots that may hold some potential in them. Deep down I knew they sucked. You know when your mom and dad look at the pictures and say they look nothing like you (and in a bad way) that they aren't any good. Even my yearbook pictures from the awkward teen years looked better than these! Am I to believe that I was more photogenic as an early teen with braces and bangs than I am now? I mean, when did my nose get so big? And yes, the makeup looked caked on. It just wasn't me! I think I would have had better luck taking pictures of myself with a wind up camera. Somehow I'll have to make them work for now.
It's 50 degrees today! 50 degrees...in Chicago...in February! The Lord has blessed me and made His face shine upon me!
It's definitely a big change from the blizzard that we had here a couple of weeks ago. It just happened to be the weekend that my parents and older brother came to visit from Dallas. It was hilarious. We went to see 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (great musical...a little off on it's theology). As we walked out of the building it was like being on top of a mountain during a white out blizzard. In our heels and lack of hat or scarves, we hoofed it back to our hotel. We were laughing so hard because we had no choice. The wind was whipping the snow across our faces leaving sting marks and trains of mascara. We found refuge along with the homeless in these small doorways along Randolph and Michigan Avenue. We would stop for only a moment to psych ourselves up to head back out into the cold. I have to say that we did it with great humor. We took a picture of Patrick's hair and he looked like Richard Gere. I am pretty impressed with the heels I wore. I jogged one mile in those suckers...in the snow. Impressive.