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grateful

28 Nov

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things I am grateful for this thanksgiving…

+ my husband – I got a really good one. It sounds so cliché but he really is my best friend. He’s so supportive of me and always makes me feel loved. I couldn’t love him more

+ frankers – that little puppy makes me smile every single day

+ our home – it’s exactly what I had on my vision board. light, bright, modern & by the beach

+ our wedding day – such a joyful experience. I felt as if my heart was going to burst

+ the card that Brian wrote to me before our ceremony

+ my family – they stick by me no matter what. They are a loving, thoughtful and hysterical bunch.

+ my new family – I got very lucky in this department

+ publishing an essay

+ my health

+ the wonderfully generous wedding gifts we received

+ having the opportunity to start volunteering as a big sister

+ my girlfriends – the add so much to my daily life

+ feeling inspired again

+ the chill in the air

+ pumpkin pie

+ our espresso machine

+ fresh starts

+ synchronicity

+ my new leather jacket – I would sleep in it if I could

+ date nights with our favorite couples

+ opportunities

+ cozy nights in with my little family

+ upcoming travel plans

+ this blog and community

+ the warmth of the holidays

+ my life

find me elsewhere: instagram @kate365, twitter, facebook

 

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A post about nothing and everything

24 Aug

My sweet Aunt Paule offered Brian and I her beach cottage in Santa Barbara this weekend while she and her partner David are on a retreat. Considering we aren’t ones to shy away from mini vacay’s (especially when they are free) we are off to Santa Barbara for a few days!

I happen to love their little cottage by the sea. It’s the perfect place to cozy up, write (I really need to rethink my book proposal), read (my new book “Wild” for inspiration), sleep (I’m a fan of sleeping sans alarm clock), watch movies (or maybe continue watching episodes of Breaking Bad) and cuddle (I’m a fan of cuddling too). I also want to take long walks on the beach and drinking margarita’s at the local Mexican joint.

On another note- I made some progress with my goals this week!

 I made a list of a few new “artist dates” to take myself on…i’m scheduling these once a week.

– rent 5 Best Picture films that I have never seen and spend the day watching them

– create a new vision board (these visions of mine need a new board!)

– Downtown LA museum day

– head to the library to check out books on a subject I know very little about

– take myself on a picnic

Second I played a truly fun game of phone tag with a woman named Noelle at the Big Brother Big Sister organization about volunteering as a Big Sister. We still have not actually spoken but I have high hopes we will next week. High hopes.

I “thought” about what changes I want to make to my book proposal. That counts for something, right?

I chased down a man and his adorable French Bulldog on the street to ask which breeder he went to.

I spent hours looking at beautiful photos of ballerina’s for inspiration for my upcoming “back to the barre” series ( I plan on posting them tomorrow)

OH AND I BOOKED A TRIP TO NEPAL! That still happens to be the most exciting update of the week.

What happened with you guys this week? Any fun things to share????

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48

21 May

I woke up this morning to this note from the universe and it could not have been more perfect considering I am 48 days away from turning 30 and my crazy journey is coming to an end.

……

The very best moment in any long journey that makes your dreams come true, Kate, comes not on the day you realize they have, but on the day you realize how little they matter compared to loving the adventure they’ve inspired. 

Don’t ask me why, I just know what I know – 
    The Universe

……

365til30: instagram  @kate365, twitter, facebook

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144

15 Feb


“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”

Buddha

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170

19 Jan

VOLUNTEER

YESTERDAY

What a stressful place my head was yesterday morning. I was filled with inner dialogue about everything and anything…365 til 30…posts…life…money…book proposals…laundry…writing assignments…to do lists…meetings….social media…blah…blah…blah. The laundry was seriously stressing me out- I had left the house that morning with boy shorts on as underwear because I had run out of everything else. Classy. Then I went to a fitting were a dog ate my ballet flats when I took them off and I had to walk around the rest of the day with holes in the heel of my shoes. Surprisingly, I was able to see the humor in that as I wobbled into starbuck’s for a coffee.

Yesterday also happened to be the day I was scheduled to start my first day as a volunteer at PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) writing resume cover letters for the residents to help them (hopefully) get jobs.  I have been looking forward to starting at PATH for the last two weeks. I was really excited to find this organization because I have been wanting to work on a more one on one basis with individuals.

Cut to yesterday…I was pulling up to my volunteer session and feeling very tapped out. Wasn’t sure if I had anything to give that day AND I couldn’t stop thinking about getting home to do the pile of laundry and all the other things I wanted to do for myself.   I even thought about going home and starting the volunteer committment next week.  Truly selfish, huh? But….I didn’t.

When I walked in I was brought to the job center and introduced to Julie. The team leader explained to her that I would be assisting her in writing cover letters and helping her to apply for jobs. She looked up at me and her lip started to quiver and she started to tear. It wasn’t the response I was expecting and my heart broke…seriously broke. All the things I had been worrying about seemed so utterly pathetic and small. What a crap I am, I thought, so worried about little things when my life is pretty perfect. Sure I have worries and concerns like everybody but I have a roof over my head, a job, love in my life and 365 til 30 (which is like my baby).

I hugged Julie and told her it would be better. That we would make it better…somehow…someway…we would make it better that day and she said “ok thanks”. We sat down and spent hours writing cover letters. I finally felt like I was in my day and totally with the person in front of me – and not in my head. Nothing else was on my agenda but finding Julie a job. We even started to have some fun with them. I also enjoyed hearing about her life and wants and hopes and talents. She is a lovely, smart, funny and honest person. At the end of the afternoon she gave me a big hug and said thank you and that she was excited to send them out. I felt like I was skipping on rainbows the rest of the afternoon.

My perspective had changed. It’s funny when you are feeling stuck in your own worries, you sometimes forget that a whole other world exists out there.

As I was walking out the door I overheard the team leader tell another resident this…

“Keep your eyes on the prize and the right door will open for you”

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Please contact PATH if you would like to volunteer for the organization.

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175

14 Jan

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222

28 Nov

The other night I was up from 3 to 6 am (glorious hours to be up by yourself) thinking about 365 til 30 and my 10 goals. I cannot believe it’s been almost 5 months since it all began. I am truly blown away by how much has happened in the last 5 months- I moved in with Brian, camped, tango’d, cooked, baked, attempted French, written more insane emails than I care to admit, laughed, cried, danced, jumped with joy, had my goals actualize, had meetings that rocked my world, had goals temporarily derailed but still made a point to find the humor in it all.

Getting out of my comfort zone has forced me to see myself differently and laugh more than I thought possible. I also learned that I am much more resilient than I originally gave myself credit for. Not to mention I found the strength to get over my chicken phobia.

But the most amazing part has been how much I was able to manifest by setting a clear intention. I have always had a very clear image of what I wanted my life to look like and it’s coming into focus.

But, you know what kept me awake most during those  glorious hours? Thinking about what still lies ahead. What big surprises are around the corner. What goals I needed to re-strategize to attain and what goals I need to breathe new life into. Because, as much as this blog is about finding the joy in each day it’s also about actualizing these 10 goal and I want them all to happen as much as I did five months ago.

 I have decided that I need to start January off with a clear focus and to do so I need to re-cap, re-stratagize and fall in love with them all again.

So all through December I will be recapping and brainstorming the 10 goals!

For the readers who recently joined the 365 til 30 party this may also help you catch up! I do realize that some of you may think my “Frank” photos means Frank is real. This is not a crazy assumption. Sadly, he’s not. Not yet at least.

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305

6 Sep

DAY 2 : VOLUNTEER

I had another lovely afternoon volunteering for Food On Foot. To witness individuals take action and change their lives for the better is inspiring. I end up leaving there with a huge smile on my face, my heart fuller and feeling empowered myself. I was also happy and surprised when Jay, the man who started Food On Foot asked me if I was the girl who wrote that blog 365 times something. I didn’t even care that he called my blog by the wrong name because I was too thrilled that he actually knew my blog! He stumbled upon it when I first wrote about my experience volunteering for them. The moment got even sweeter when he said he actually liked my blog! I was dying. To have him as a reader means so much because I find what he is doing inspiring. For the last 809 Sundays he has been changing people’s lives for the better with his organization.

This week I was lucky enough to hear recent graduate Margarito’s story.

He now has a full-time job at Tender Greens, his own apartment, is self-supporting and off the streets thanks to the program!

For any of you that would like to volunteer or donate money and clothes to Food On Foot visit this link.

www.foodonfoot.org

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320

22 Aug

DAY 1 : VOLUNTEER

Yesterday was one of the best days of my 29th year. I was humbled and inspired by the human spirit. My heart was so was so filled with emotion, I thought it was going to burst. This experience left me with a change in perspective and very grateful for my life. I will be going back many many many Sundays.

When starting 365 til 30, I knew I wanted to work with the homeless for my volunteer goal but had no organization in mind. Last week I was on the internet and stumbled upon Food On Foot and from what I saw on the site, signed up to volunteer.

For the last 807 Sundays, Food On Foot founder, Jay Goldinger and a small group of volunteers have been feeding LA’s homeless, which is a beautiful thing on its own but  he takes it one step further. He created a program called The Work For Food Program, which gives the homeless the opportunity to sweep the streets every Sunday morning to earn extra food cards. After working for ten consecutive weeks they graduate to the next level. Over the course of a year of hard work they gain the opportunity to get help with medical and dental problems and even see a 3,000 bank account opened in their name while being provided with safe housing and help getting a real job. How amazing is that?

Jay requires something else from everyone in the program. He demands that they complete a random act of kindness each week. A simple reminder that a human beings true worth isn’t ever money but instead what we do for others. To witness people who have so little do this is inspiring.

I was also given the opportunity to hear the stories of two Work For Food graduates. They shared how they ended up on the streets, what it was like for them, how they found the program and what it did for them. They also shared what their lives looked like now. When they got to this part their smiles shined bright. They pulled themselves out from the lowest depths and earned their dignity back. I was so moved by their bravery, attitude, honesty and grace that I felt a little shaken.

After hearing their stories it was time to do what we had come to do and feed the 500 men, woman and children waiting for a meal. Each volunteer was given a job on the food line- mine was passing out Quaker Oat bars. We were told to make an effort to interact with each person considering they don’t get the opportunity to do so very often.  So with each person I handed an oat bar to I made a point to look at them straight in the eye and with as much love as I could offer. Every single one of them smiled back, read my name tag and said “Thank you, Kate”. Those 3 very simple words had never meant so much  or held as much weight.

I am beyond grateful I took the opportunity to contribute to Food On Foot, even in a small way. Even if it was just a smile. I hope in the next year I am lucky enough to witness many of these beautiful souls find their way back to the lives they desire. Because, who doesn’t deserve that?

As the volunteers were packing up the founder Jay left us with this Italian Proverb…

“At the end of the game, The King and The Pawn go back in the same box.”

©

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338

4 Aug

INSPIRATIONS, GRATITUDE & SURPRISES

When I put together my list of 11 goals for the year I choose them with my gut and not my head. After completing my first goal I had a realization about the list. The camping experience brought out a part of me I really like. She’s easy, adventurous and goes with the flow. It was then that it hit me. These 11 goals represented 11 different facets of my character that I wanted to strengthen moving into my 30’s.

 CAMPING… Completing this goal brought out an easy, adventurous and go with the flow version of myself that I want to keep alive moving forward. She’s so fun, she eats chicken from an ice cooler and hikes 8 miles for enjoyment sake.

CONTRIBUTE TO MY FAVORITE WEBSITES… This goal was definitely chosen to feed the career orientated me. Not to mention my confidence has got to shine to get this one done.

DRIVE ACROSS THE USA… Since I plan to drive cross-country with no real plan I’m thinking this one is to strengthen the adventurous, fun and crazy me!

GET A FRENCH BULLDOG… I am totally convinced Frank will bring a more joyful and playful Kate out.

LEARN FRENCH… Langue français est un sexy. Assez dit.

LEARN HOW TO COOK… Cooking to me represents family, love and warmth. So I’m pretty sure I choose this to strengthen the nurturer in me. My future self is a wife and mother who bakes and cooks for the fun of it but in heels!

LEARN TO TANGO… The tango screams sex to me so I think it’s safe to say that the tango was chosen to strengthen the sexy, confident and commanding woman in me.

PUBLISH MY WRITING… Creative Kate. Creative Kate. Creative Kate. Try and say that 10 times. It’s hard.

TASSAJARA… After a week with Buddhist monks I’m hoping to see a more calm, grateful, kind, loving, forgiving and thankful Kate. I see glimpses of her all the time. But, then she vanishes when the coffee machine breaks or she get’s a flat tire.

VOLUNTEER… I plan to start working with the homeless.  I choose this for obvious reasons…giving back and sharing love.

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“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.”

 John Maxwell

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