Learning to Balance

     I love Dr. Seuss. His books, while some of them made for nothing more than humor, knew how to break down important life messages into ways that children of all ages could understand.

     Around graduation every year, there is one particular book that always comes back around, Oh, the Places You'll Go! This is by far my favorite book written by Dr. Seuss. This book is also probably quoted more than any other because of how realistic it truly is. So, yes, while we might not actually face green, fluffy monsters that kind of look like their design was borrowed from the Loch Ness silhouette, the words still ring true. 

     I pulled this book out not too long ago to read again. My copy, a special anniversary edition, was given to me back when I graduated high school and has multiple hand written notes from loved ones throughout it. Both bring me a world of comfort - and also remind me that I must keep going. 

     One of the things I have been struggling with lately is that I want a relaxed summer vacation. I'm done with school, really and truly finished, and I just want to chill. The problem is that, especially as an adult, life doesn't slow down. There are things that need to be taken care of, problems that need solutions, and chores that need completing. Summer vacations are things of the past. 

     Of course, I am also trying to figure out this whole idea of balancing what needs to get done versus what I can reasonably get done in 24 hours. Sometimes I forget that I'm not Superman. I have a massive to-do list that connects with future jobs and the wedding and then I have a list of things that I want to do because, darn it, I just want to do it. Life requires a balance of the two so that you aren't burnt out, but so far I'm not too great at that. 

   

     I have my phone calendar, a planner, a weekly to - do list, and daily to-do list to try and help me knock out everything that is necessary. Most of the time, using these things keeps me on track as a successful juggler. Sometimes, I abuse these and throw too many balls in the air at once and lose control. There's really no in between for me. 

     I guess this post isn't so much teaching about balancing as it is requesting for help. (That's another adult skill I'm slowly becoming more comfortable with.) This week is going to be a long one, just between work and the list of what needs to be done. While, yes, prayers and good vibes are appreciated, I really would love to hear people's advice of staying balanced.

     Until next time,

           Kaity

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

     On May 14, 2016 one chapter of my life closed as another started. That particular Saturday were equal parts important for me and my boyfriend. First off, I graduated with my Ed.M in Deaf Education from Boston University. Second, my boyfriend became my fiancè.

     Many of you wanted to hear how it happened and why, of all places, did it happen at a train station. Keep reading, my lovely followers, and you will understand why that was the most romantic place he could've chosen.

A bit of background information:


     584 days ago (on a Saturday, apparently - Charles counted) I was riding in to Chestnut Hill for one of my very first shifts at The Container Store. I, having just moved up there, am totally zoning out when I notice, standing across from me, is someone wearing boots. We aren't talking stylish boots or steal-toe, we're talking about legitimate Texas cowboy work books. I'm sure you can understand my confusion to seeing someone in Boston with these on their feet.

     I spent most of the time looking back and forth between his boots and his face. He found this pretty funny, and was also the first to say "Hi," when we got off the train and headed into work. That was the beginning of a pretty fantastic relationship.

Fast forward a year and a half to May 14th, 2016:

     I had no clue what was coming.

     Charles, apparently, had been planning this entire thing for MONTHS. He had the ring ready, he had the plane tickets, and the last thing he did was ask for my parents permission and get them to help everything go smoothly.

    ( You have to understand that Charles and I have been talking about getting married for a couple months now, but he had been telling me that there was no way we could move forward until January because that's when he would be done with school and get a job. We had talked about this so often, that the slightest possibility that he would appear on graduation weekend, in Boston, never once crossed my mind.)

     Charles flew up to Boston on Thursday so that he wouldn't run into me when I came up on Friday. I had to fly in before my family so that I could take one last certification test for my teaching licence. He managed to stay under the radar the whole time, even when we talked on the phone.

     Saturday, my family flew in and they made it just in time to get to my graduation. I had to go early, so I didn't know that they were working with Charles to make a plan in case their plane ran late. (This happens a lot when you're in a rush to go somewhere.)

     At 3:00 PM we began graduation and were out in a couple of hours. We made it back to the hotel about 6 PM and Mom was already pushing us out the door to go to dinner. She had made us reservations at Legal Sea Food (fancy Boston chain that's delicious!) over in Chestnut Hill at 8 PM. She was adamant that no one change clothes for this because she wanted a nice, sit down dinner. (I thought this was Mom being Mom and didn't think anything about it.)

     Now, as a partial Bostonian, I knew that we could make it from Cambridge to this restaurant with plenty of time to spare, even with having to buy weekly passes for everyone. We went anyway and I taught my family how to ride on the train and what not to do while you're in the North.

     We get to Chestnut Hill and it just so happens that the way we got on the train forced me to be the last person out. My family is just standing outside the train, looking a little lost, and I turn left and start walking to the stairs leading to the street. That's when I felt a tap on my shoulders and turned around to see Charles.

     I was so excited to see him and we hugged and it didn't dawn on me what was going on until he started this very beautiful prepared speech about when we met here a year and a half ago. When he got down on one knee, I was beaming and practically bouncing up and down. I couldn't have asked for a better proposal.

     So there you are, folks. There's the full story. We have not really begun planning the wedding, although we do know it'll be next year in the summer-ish / early fall time. That's something that both of us have to start learning about very soon.

     I hope that you enjoyed the beginning of the new chapter of my life as much as I did.


     Until next time,

          Kaity

P.S. - Thank you Bill and Eufrey for helping Charles get everything together for this!